species of bird From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) is the largest grouse in North America. It lives in the western half of the United States and the Alberta and Saskatchewan provinces.[3] They are larger than a pheasant but smaller than a wild turkey.
| Greater sage-grouse | |
|---|---|
| |
| Male in USA | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Galliformes |
| Family: | Phasianidae |
| Genus: | Centrocercus |
| Species: | C. urophasianus |
| Binomial name | |
| Centrocercus urophasianus (Bonaparte, 1827) | |
| Subspecies | |
| |
 | |
| Sage grouse range[2] | |
They belong to the Phasianidae family. The Gunnison sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus) is the other species in the genus.[4]
At one time they numbered in the millions. Because of loss of the loss of sagebrush habitat there are now between 200,000 and 500,000 birds in the western US.[5] They are now being considered for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).[5] In Canada It is estimated their habitat range has been reduced by 90%.[6] They are completely gone from British Columbia.[6] It is estimated the population in Canada was reduced by 88% between 1988 and 2006.[6]
In the spring, during their breeding season, male sage-grouse gather to do their courtship displays.[4] They do this on areas called "leks". As the males dance they make a popping sound.[7] This is done by inflating and deflating their two yellow throat sacs. They display their pointed tail feathers while they strut.[7] As many as a dozen males may dance at the same time. Sometimes two males will fight with their wings. The hens will watch for several days before picking out a mate.[7] They make their nests in the sagebrush.[4] The males do not help with nesting or with raising chicks.
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