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The greater sage grouse (recently separated from the lesser, or Gunnison sage grouse) is a declining species throughout much of its range in the sagebrush plains of western North America. The causes are controversial but habitat loss is a major factor. In spring, males gather before dawn at display areas called leks, where they perform spectacular 'strut' displays -- shown here -- to attract females. As usual in lekking species, a few males experience very high mating success while most males achieve few or no matings. Lekking sage grouse are very wary of predators (mainly eagles and coyotes). I took these pictures from a camouflaged hide, which I entered at 4 AM on several very cold nights, well before any birds arrived (near Crowley Lake, California). Many thanks to Dr. Robert Gibson (University of Nebraska) for tutoring me on sage grouse biology and letting me use his hide. |
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