Greater Sage-Grouse (GRSG)

Identification

The Greater Sage-Grouse is a striking animal to come across on the prairie. The males are large, stocky chicken-shaped birds with white fluffy feathers around their neck and chest that they puff out, and large sacs on their chest that they inflate when courting. The skin of these sacs ranges from brown to bright yellow. In addition to their inflatable pouches, the males have a fanned out tail with thin pointy feathers, which they stand upright like a peacock’s. When looking at these fancy males head on, only the tips of the tail feathers are visible. In addition, males also sport a tall crown of spiky feathers that stand upright. The body, tail, and wing feathers of these birds are a dark brown mottled with shades of tan, white, and black. Males also have yellow ‘eyebrows,’ or little half circles of skin above their eyes. Greater Sage-Grouse have short, thick, brown legs, rounded wings, and a small head with a short pointy beak. Females share the chicken shape but lack ornamentation. Their short tail points to the ground, and their body is the same patterning as the males, but with more dusty browns and grays. The females do have thin white patterning on their face that streaks across their eyes and throat. Juveniles appear similar to females but appear thinner and look unkept. These birds have various hissing or clucking calls that are used in times of danger, keeping chicks together, or when warning other birds or animals. The males during their courting ritual perform various wing movements that make rustling or swishing sounds, and inflate their air sacs which let out booming or popping noises.

Listen to its songs and calls here.