From Opus

Tympanuchus phasianellus

Photo by kegressy
Photo taken: Manitoulin Islad, Lake Huron.

Identification

Mottled brown and grey underparts with spotted underparts. The tail feathers are long and pointed. During spring, the male has yellow "combs" (eyebrows) and purple air sacs on his neck that are inflated when they display. Female: Very much like the male but without the yellow eyebrows and purple air sacs.

Distribution

Canada and United States.

Taxonomy

Habitat

Prairies, grasslands, agricultural areas and open woodland habitats.

Behaviour

The diet includes seeds, leaves, grains, berries, buds and flowers.

The nests are shallow depressions lined by feathers, ferns or grass on the ground usually under shrubs or grass. 10 to 14 eggs are laid. After hatching, the young quickly leave the nest, but the mother keeps tending the young and leads them to feeding areas.

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