Sharp-tailed Grouse

The sharp-tailed grouse, also known as the sharptail or fire grouse, is a medium-sized prairie grouse. It is one of three species in the genus Tympanuchus, distinguished by its relatively short tail with square-tipped central feathers and lighter outer tail feathers. The bird's plumage is mottled with dark and light browns on a white background, and it has a white belly with faint V-shaped markings.

Identification Tips

Males can be recognized by a yellow comb over their eyes and a violet display patch on their neck, which is not present in the greater and lesser prairie chickens. Females are smaller, with less pronounced combs and regular horizontal markings across their tail feathers.

Measurements

• Length: 15.0-19.0 in (38.1-48.3 cm)
• Weight: 21.0-31.0 oz (596-880 g)
• Wingspan: 24.4-25.6 in (62-65 cm)

Distribution

The sharp-tailed grouse was historically found across eight Canadian provinces and 21 U.S. states. Its current range includes Alaska, Northern and Western Canada, and parts of the Western and Midwestern United States.

Behaviour

Sharp-tailed grouse forage on the ground or in trees, depending on the season. They are known for their lekking behavior, where males display in open areas to attract females. The males perform a dance with rapid foot stamping and tail rattling, accompanied by "cooing" calls.

Song & Calls

The sharp-tailed grouse produces a variety of calls, including a distinctive "cooing" during its mating display.

Breeding

The species is a lek breeder, with males gathering in open areas to compete for the attention of females. Females select dominant males, mate, and then raise their young independently.

Habitat

Sharp-tailed grouse inhabit various prairie ecosystems, from pine savannahs to shrub steppe prairies. They require different habitats for lekking, nesting, brood rearing, and wintering, often preferring areas with a mix of grasses and shrubs.

Diet and Feeding

Their diet includes seeds, buds, berries, forbs, leaves, and insects like grasshoppers. Specific grasshopper species consumed include Melanoplus dawsoni and Pseudochorthippus curtipennis.

Conservation Status

The sharp-tailed grouse is currently listed as Least Concern, with populations on the rise.