Gunnison Grouse

Centrocercus minimus

The Gunnison grouse, Gunnison sage-grouse or lesser sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus), is a species of grouse endemic to the United States. It is similar to the closely related greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) in appearance, but about a third smaller in size, with much thicker plumes behind the head; it also has a less elaborate courtship dance. It is restricted in range to southwestern Colorado and extreme southeastern Utah, with the largest population residing in the Gunnison Basin region in Colorado. Despite being native to a country where the avifauna is relatively well known, it was overlooked until the 1990s due to the similarities with the sage grouse, and only described as a new species in 2000—making it the first new avian species to be described from the USA since the 19th century. The description of C. minimus as a separate species is supported by a molecular study of genetic variation, showing that gene flow between the large-bodied and the small-bodied birds is absent.
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Gunnison Grouse on Birda

Sightings

A map showing the sighting location
🦑
Eric DeFonso
Tuesday 06 Jul 2021 - 7:42am
United States
A map showing the sighting location
🦢
Kevin DeBoer
Wednesday 18 Jul 2018 - 6:03am
United States
A map showing the sighting location
🦉
Mouser Williams
Friday 11 Apr 2014 - 5:00am
United States
A map showing the sighting location
🦑
Eric DeFonso
Wednesday 04 Apr 2007 - 12:00am
United States
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