Where to Find Greater Sage-Grouse
Common Name: Greater Sage-Grouse
Scientific Name: Centrocercus urophasianus
Migration: Non-migrant; does not migrate
The greater sage-grouse can be temperamental about its habitat, requiring large, undeveloped tracts of semi-arid grassland where sagebrush is abundant in order to feel comfortable. Prairies, scrub grassland, meadows and steppe habitats may all be suitable, as well as mountain slopes and foothills where cover is sparse.
Dense cover makes the habitat unsuitable for these game birds, and they are wary of disturbances to their habitat and are likely abandon an area where coniferous trees, hedges, wires, fences, wind turbines, roads or other development is introduced, or where the area is overgrazed by livestock.
These herbivorous birds rely heavily on different types of sagebrush for both food and shelter, and many introduced plants such as non-native grasses or agricultural crops can make habitat less suitable for greater sage-grouse as sagebrush vanishes. Unlike many other game birds, these grouse are less adaptable to different food sources.
A birder's best chance to see greater sage-grouse is to visit a traditional breeding lek, where male birds put on an elaborate, showy dance to entice females to mate. Leks may be used for many generations, but if the surrounding habitat is disturbed and no longer suitable, a lek may be abandoned and it can be difficult for the grouse to develop a new, equally productive mating site.
Birders who do visit an established lek should take extreme precautions to not disturb the birds or disrupt their habitat or behavior in any way.
Though the greater sage-grouse may appear to have a relatively large, widespread range across western North America, the actual amount of suitable habitat within that range is very fragmented and the birds can be difficult to find. While these birds are not yet considered endangered, their status is regularly reviewed as the population continues to struggle.
For more information, see the complete greater sage-grouse profile.
North America Outline Map © WorldAtlas.com.
Scientific Name: Centrocercus urophasianus
Migration: Non-migrant; does not migrate
Habitat:
The greater sage-grouse can be temperamental about its habitat, requiring large, undeveloped tracts of semi-arid grassland where sagebrush is abundant in order to feel comfortable. Prairies, scrub grassland, meadows and steppe habitats may all be suitable, as well as mountain slopes and foothills where cover is sparse.
Dense cover makes the habitat unsuitable for these game birds, and they are wary of disturbances to their habitat and are likely abandon an area where coniferous trees, hedges, wires, fences, wind turbines, roads or other development is introduced, or where the area is overgrazed by livestock.
These herbivorous birds rely heavily on different types of sagebrush for both food and shelter, and many introduced plants such as non-native grasses or agricultural crops can make habitat less suitable for greater sage-grouse as sagebrush vanishes. Unlike many other game birds, these grouse are less adaptable to different food sources.
A birder's best chance to see greater sage-grouse is to visit a traditional breeding lek, where male birds put on an elaborate, showy dance to entice females to mate. Leks may be used for many generations, but if the surrounding habitat is disturbed and no longer suitable, a lek may be abandoned and it can be difficult for the grouse to develop a new, equally productive mating site.
Birders who do visit an established lek should take extreme precautions to not disturb the birds or disrupt their habitat or behavior in any way.
Though the greater sage-grouse may appear to have a relatively large, widespread range across western North America, the actual amount of suitable habitat within that range is very fragmented and the birds can be difficult to find. While these birds are not yet considered endangered, their status is regularly reviewed as the population continues to struggle.
For more information, see the complete greater sage-grouse profile.
North America Outline Map © WorldAtlas.com.
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