The greater sage-grouse, also known as the sagehen, is the largest grouse in North America. Its range is sagebrush country in the western United States and southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada. It was known as simply the sage grouse until the Gunnison sage-grouse was recognized as a separate species in 2000. The Mono Basin population of sage grouse may also be distinct.
Region
Western North America
Typical Environment
Occurs in extensive sagebrush steppe across the western United States and into southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada. It favors broad, unbroken basins and rolling plateaus dominated by big sagebrush. Leks are typically in open, flat areas adjacent to denser sagebrush used for nesting and cover. Brood-rearing often shifts to wet meadows and riparian edges where forbs and insects are abundant. In winter, birds move to windswept or south-facing sagebrush stands where foliage remains accessible above the snow.
Altitude Range
600–2700 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The greater sage-grouse is famed for its spectacular lek displays, where males fan spiky tails and inflate yellowish chest sacs to make popping sounds. It is almost entirely dependent on sagebrush for food and cover, especially in winter. Habitat fragmentation and wildfire have reduced many populations, making it a conservation focus across the American West.
![Lek mating arena, in which each male guards a territory of a few meters in size on average, and in which the dominant males may each attract up to eight females.[14] In addition, each individual is shown with variations in personal space (bubbles), whereby higher-ranking individuals have larger personal space bubbles.[15] Common bird leks typically have 25–30 individuals. A strict hierarchy accords the most desirable top-ranking males the most prestigious central territory, with ungraded and lesser aspirants ranged outside. Females come to these arenas to choose mates when the males' hierarchy has become established, and preferentially mate with the dominants in the centre.](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f5/Lek-diagram.jpg/1280px-Lek-diagram.jpg)
Lek mating arena, in which each male guards a territory of a few meters in size on average, and in which the dominant males may each attract up to eight females.[14] In addition, each individual is shown with variations in personal space (bubbles), whereby higher-ranking individuals have larger personal space bubbles.[15] Common bird leks typically have 25–30 individuals. A strict hierarchy accords the most desirable top-ranking males the most prestigious central territory, with ungraded and lesser aspirants ranged outside. Females come to these arenas to choose mates when the males' hierarchy has become established, and preferentially mate with the dominants in the centre.
A male with its gular sacs inflated
A female greater sage-grouse
Temperament
wary and social at leks
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, direct flights
Social Behavior
In spring, males gather on traditional leks to perform elaborate displays while females select mates. Nests are shallow ground scrapes under sagebrush, where females incubate and rear the brood alone. Outside the breeding season, birds may form loose flocks, especially in winter near reliable sagebrush forage.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Males produce a series of swishes and soft hoots punctuated by distinctive hollow pops from their inflated air sacs. Vocalizations are accompanied by tail fanning and wing swishing, creating a rhythmic display that carries across the lek at dawn.
