Lesser Prairie-Chicken
NameLesser Prairie-Chicken
Common NameLesser Prairie-Chicken
Scientific NameTympanuchus pallidicinctus
FamilyPhasianidae
Wingspan (cm)70
Length (cm)40.5
Weight (g)800
Plumage DetailsBoth sexes exhibit cryptic barred plumage of brown, buff, and white, providing excellent camouflage in their grassland habitat. Males display bright reddish-orange gular sacs and yellow eye combs during courtship, along with long, stiff head feathers (pinnae) that can be erected.
Vocalization / CallMales produce a distinctive low-frequency 'booming' call during their courtship displays on leks, created by air expelled from their inflated gular sacs. They also make clucking and cackling sounds.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsgrassland
Conservation Statusendangered
Geographic RangeHistorically found across the shortgrass and mixed-grass prairies of the central and southern Great Plains of North America, including parts of Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado. Its range has significantly declined due to habitat loss and fragmentation.
Identifying FeaturesBarred brown and white plumage, Erectable head feathers (pinnae), Males have inflatable reddish-orange gular sacs, Males have yellow eye combs, Short, rounded tail, Lekking behavior with booming calls
Description
The Lesser Prairie-Chicken is a medium-sized grouse native to the grasslands of the central and southern Great Plains. Males are known for their elaborate courtship displays on leks, where they inflate reddish-orange gular sacs and produce booming calls.
