A medium-sized grouse that once boomed across vast Great Plains. Males "boom" on leks each spring — inflating orange air sacs to produce hollow whoops audible 1+ mile. Now restricted to small remnant populations.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The greater prairie-chicken or pinnated grouse, sometimes called a boomer, is a large bird in the grouse tribe. This North American species was once abundant but has become extremely rare or extirpated over much of its range due to habitat loss, natural disasters, and overhunting. Conservation measures are underway to ensure the sustainability of existing small populations. One of the most famous aspects of these creatures is the mating ritual called booming.
Source: Wikipedia — Greater prairie-chicken Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Medium grouse with distinctive feather "horns" on the neck and males with bright orange air sacs.
Similar species. Sharp-tailed Grouse (white outer tail feathers). Sage-Grouse (much larger).
Voice. Deep booming displays from males.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Seeds, leaves, berries, insects.
Behavior. Forms small family groups. Males display elaborate booming sounds at lek sites.
§ Range
Central US tallgrass and mixed-grass prairies (remnant populations)
§ Habitat
Native tallgrass and mixed-grass prairie
§ Threats
Tallgrass prairie conversion to row crops, wind energy disturbance, fire suppression.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the greater prairie-chicken is currently classified as Vulnerable.
§ What helps
Support tallgrass prairie restoration. Donate to The Nature Conservancy prairie programs.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Greater prairie-chicken
- www.fws.gov — authoritative profile of Tympanuchus cupido
- IUCN Red List · taxon 22679518
- iNaturalist · taxon 897
- eBird · grpchi
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Tympanuchus cupido
§ Sources cited
- Cornell Lab — All About Birds
- USFWS
- IUCN Red List 2016
