Greater Prairie-Chicken
NameGreater Prairie-Chicken
Common NameGreater Prairie-Chicken
Scientific NameTympanuchus cupido
FamilyPhasianidae
Wingspan (cm)72.5
Length (cm)43.5
Weight (g)950
Plumage DetailsBoth sexes have heavily barred brown and white plumage across their bodies. Males possess prominent yellow-orange fleshy combs above their eyes and large, inflatable orange-red cervical air sacs on their necks, which are displayed during courtship.
Vocalization / CallMales produce a distinctive, deep, resonant 'booming' sound during their courtship display, created by expelling air from their inflated neck sacs. They also make clucking and cackling sounds.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsgrassland
Conservation Statusnear-threatened
Geographic RangeHistorically widespread across the tallgrass prairies of central North America, its current range is fragmented, primarily found in remnant grasslands of the Great Plains in the United States.
Identifying FeaturesHeavily barred brown and white plumage, Short, stiff tail feathers, Inflatable orange neck sacs (males), Yellow eye combs (males), Booming courtship display on leks
Description
The Greater Prairie-Chicken is a medium-sized grouse known for its elaborate courtship display. Males inflate bright orange air sacs on their necks and produce a deep booming call to attract females on communal display grounds called leks.
