Greater Sage-Grouse
NameGreater Sage-Grouse
Common NameGreater Sage-Grouse
Scientific NameCentrocercus urophasianus
FamilyPhasianidae
Wingspan (cm)67
Length (cm)70
Weight (g)2500
Plumage DetailsMales have a mottled brown and gray body, a white breast, a black throat, and yellow eye combs. During display, they exhibit a large white ruff and two prominent, inflatable yellowish-green air sacs. Their tail is long and spiky. Females are smaller and more cryptically mottled brown and gray.
Vocalization / CallDuring courtship, males produce a distinctive series of 'popping' and 'gurgling' sounds as they inflate and deflate their air sacs, accompanied by wing swishes.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatssagebrush steppe, grassland
Conservation Statusnear-threatened
Geographic RangeFound in western North America, primarily across the Great Basin and intermountain west, from southern Canada through the western United States.
Identifying FeaturesLarge size, Long, spiky tail feathers, Male's elaborate courtship display with inflatable yellowish-green air sacs, Dependence on sagebrush habitat
Description
The Greater Sage-Grouse is a large, ground-dwelling bird native to western North America, known for the male's elaborate courtship display. Males inflate large, yellowish-green air sacs on their chest and fan their spiky tail feathers to attract mates.
