Greater Sage-Grouse
NameGreater Sage-Grouse
Common NameGreater Sage-Grouse
Scientific NameCentrocercus urophasianus
FamilyPhasianidae
Wingspan (cm)65
Length (cm)65
Weight (g)2000
Plumage DetailsMales have mottled gray-brown body plumage, a black throat, and a prominent white ruff on the chest. During display, two large, bare yellow-green air sacs inflate, and the long, spiky tail feathers are fanned. Females are smaller and more cryptically mottled brown.
Vocalization / CallMales produce a distinctive series of 'popping' and 'gurgling' sounds during their courtship display, created by air rapidly expelled from their inflated thoracic air sacs.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatssagebrush steppe, shrubland, grassland
Conservation Statusnear-threatened
Geographic RangeFound in the sagebrush steppe ecosystems of western North America, primarily across the western United States and southern Canada.
Identifying Featureslarge size, spiky tail, male courtship display with inflated yellow air sacs, dependence on sagebrush habitat, mottled gray-brown plumage
Description
The Greater Sage-Grouse is a large, ground-dwelling bird native to western North America, known for the male's elaborate courtship display. During this display, males inflate large yellow air sacs on their chest and fan their spiky tail feathers to attract mates.
