- Centrocercus urophasianus
Identification
Male 66–76 cm, female 48–58 cm
Heavy, with long, spiky, pointed tails
Black belly
Distribution
Western North America: found in Canada (Alberta, Saskatchewan)
United States of America: California, Colorado, Idaho, Washington, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Formerly considered conspecific with the Gunnison Sage Grouse.
Habitat
Found almost exclusively in dry sagebrush plains, usually in small groups.
Behaviour
Breeding
In spring, groups of males form leks, where many display at the same spot, so that the females can choose between them.
Diet
Their diet consists almost entirely of sagebrush.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2014. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.9., with updates to August 2014. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Avibase
- Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved August 2014)
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2021) Greater Sage Grouse. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 29 April 2021 from https://www.birdforum.net/wiki/Greater_Sage_Grouse
