Sharp-tailed Grouse

The Sharp-tailed Grouse is a medium-sized grouse of open grassland and brushy prairie across much of northern North America. It is paler and more finely marked than other prairie grouse, with mottled buff, brown, and white upperparts and a whitish belly marked with dark V-shaped chevrons. Its name refers to the short, pointed central tail feathers that project beyond the rest of the tail, visible both in flight and during display.

Key field marks

• Pale, finely mottled brown-and-buff plumage with a whitish, V-marked belly
• Short, pointed central tail feathers forming a distinctive point
• Small purple air sacs on the neck and a short crest visible in displaying males
• White outer tail feathers flash in flight

Similar species

Greater and Lesser Prairie-Chicken lack the pointed tail and are barred rather than V-marked on the underparts, with orange rather than purple neck sacs. Sage Grouse is much larger with a black belly patch and lacks the short pointed tail shape.

Habitat and Range

Sharp-tailed Grouse inhabit native grassland, brushy prairie, aspen parkland, and open woodland edges, often near a mix of grass for nesting and shrubs or scattered trees for winter food and cover.

Range

The species is found across much of the northern Great Plains and prairie provinces of Canada, extending north into boreal forest openings in Alaska and the Yukon and locally in parts of the Rocky Mountain foothills and Great Lakes region.

Migration

Sharp-tailed Grouse are largely non-migratory, though they may move short distances seasonally to reach winter food sources such as tree buds and catkins.

Behavior

Males gather on traditional leks each spring, performing a distinctive foot-stamping "dance" with rapidly drumming feet, spread wings, and inflated purple neck sacs, often facing off against rivals with quivering tails.

Voice

Display sounds include soft cooing, cackling, and popping notes from the neck sacs, along with the rhythmic drumming of feet against the ground.

Feeding

Diet shifts seasonally from insects, seeds, and berries in summer to tree and shrub buds and catkins in winter, when birds may perch in trees to feed.

Nesting and breeding

Females nest on the ground in grass or brush, generally within a couple of miles of the lek, laying about 10-12 eggs and raising the brood alone.