General

Greater Sage Grouse: Large grouse with scaled, gray-brown upperparts, white breast, and black throat, bib, and belly, and yellow combs above eyes. Large, white collar-like patch on breast conceals two yellow air sacs displayed during courtship. Tail feathers are long and pointed. Female is much smaller with white throat and no combs or air sacs; shows black on belly.

Range and Habitat

Greater Sage Grouse: Resident from southern Alberta and Saskatchewan south to eastern California, Nevada, Colorado, and South Dakota. Preferred habitats include the open country and sagebrush plains.

Breeding and Nesting

Greater Sage Grouse: Six to nine pale green eggs, lightly spotted with brown, are laid in a well-concealed grass-lined ground depression. Incubation ranges from 25 to 27 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Greater Sage Grouse: Eats soft plants, primarily big sagebrush, but also forbs and insects.

Vocalization

Greater Sage Grouse: When flushed, makes a chicken-like cackling call. Males make a bubbling sound during courtship.

Similar Species

Greater Sage Grouse: Other grouse within range are smaller, browner, and lack long, pointed tails and black bellies.