The sagebrush steppe is a plant community characterized by the presence of shrubs.
This ecosystem is found in the Intermountain West in the United States.
Providing a diverse habitat, with more than 350 recorded vertebrate species.
One of those, is the largest grouse in North America.
The greater sage-grouse.
This is a signature species of the sagebrush steppe.
As they depend on sagebrush plants for food, cover, and roosting.
These social animals usually gather in flock.
Consisting of hundreds of birds.
This one with yellow lores and patches on the back of the neck is the male.
The female is more cryptic.
Perfect for camouflage during nesting period.
Though they prefer to walk, these guys have been recorded flying up to 48 miles an hour.
But because their short legs make it difficult to run, they usually fly or hide to evade
a threat.
Every spring across America’s sprawling sagebrush sea, these iconic birds congregate
at breeding sites or leks to begin a new mating season.
Here, the males, well-known for their spiky tail feathers, and white puffed-up chests
with yellow sacs, put on a flashy dance to draw the attention of nearby females.
This is called, a strutting display.
This dance includes swishing his wings and letting
out a series of low cooing sounds.
The coos are followed by two popping sounds with a whistle in between.
As a finale, the male raises his head and lets out a huffing sound.
Groups of females observe these displays and select the most attractive males with which
to mate.
These guys perform in for several hours in the early morning and evening throughout the
spring.
The attendance may vary considerably between years, with lower attendance on days with
precipitation.
The dominant male, located in the center of the lek typically copulates with around 80%
of the females on the lek.
And after mating, the hen leaves the lek for the nesting grounds.
As of today, loss of habitat has caused the overall estimated population of the Greater
sage grouse to be about 150,000 mature birds.
On the IUCN Red List, the species is classified as Near Threatened with decreasing number
of population.
The National Wildlife Federation is actively working to protect the greater sage-grouse
and the sagebrush steppe it calls home, which sustains not only the bird, but many
of America’s cherished species.