Recent behaviour studies and egg-albumin analyses indicate that the sandgrouse are not at all closely related to the gallinaceous birds, nor to the doves, but rather to the Charadriiformes. They bear the greatest resemblance to the suborder Charadrii. It is therefore suggested that the sandgrouse (Pteroclididae) be included in the order Charadriiformes, in their own suborder Pterocli close to the Charadrii.