Pigeon-like, often social, granivorous birds of arid areas. They drink regularly, congregating around water points at set times of the day. Thye have long pointed wings and a wedge-shaped tail, allowing fast, direct flight.
They are terrestrial, usually occuring far from water in arid habitats, where they feed virtually exclusively on dry seeds. Thye prefer protein-rich seeds from legumes. In search for food, they will flick the sand with the bill and they ingest grit to assist with grinding tough seeds in the digestive tract. They are dependent on surface water, for which they will fly long distances daily.
They dust-bathe frequently, but they do not water-bathe.
They are monogamous. They nest usually in winter, laying 2 - 3 cryptically marked eggs in a shallow scrape. Incubation is done by the female during the day and by the male during the night. In the period that they are tending the young, the males soak their belly feathers in water and then fly to the nest, where chicks 'suckle' from the wet feathers (some females also do this).

Pterocles = endowed with a wing, possibly in reference to strong flight

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