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Gunnison Sage-Grouse

Centrocercus minimus
Gunnison Sage-Grouse

Due to habitat loss, these birds are on the endangered list.

Sam Crowe
Updated: March 22, 2023
Birds IDENTIFICATION

While Gunnison Sage-Grouse eat insects, flowers, fruits, and buds, sagebrush leaves are their main food throughout the year. Certain kinds of sagebrush are higher in protein and lower in toxins, and so are preferred by Gunnison Sage-Grouse as food sources.

Sage-grouse can fly nearly 50 miles per hour, and can travel several miles at a time if needed. A variety of raptors have been recorded as capturing sage-grouse, though their large size makes them a difficult target. Smaller, very young birds are more vulnerable, even to a small raptor such as a kestrel.

Length: 18-22 inches
Wing span: 26-30 inches

 

Description of the Gunnison Sage-Grouse

BREEDING MALE

The Gunnison Sage-Grouse is a sagebrush grouse, with mostly brownish upperparts, a black belly, and a long tail.

Males have black throats and are much larger than females. They have a thick crest of filoplumes, and large, inflatable air sacs on the breast.

Female

Females have pale throats and are much smaller than females.

Seasonal change in appearance

None.

Juvenile

Juveniles resemble adult females.

Habitat

Gunnison Sage-Grouse inhabit sagebrush with interspersed forbs and grassy areas.

Diet

Gunnison Sage-Grouse eat sage leaves and insects.

Gunnison Sage-Grouse

Photograph © Greg Lavaty

Behavior

Gunnison Sage-Grouse forage on the ground.

Range

Gunnison Sage-Grouse are resident locally in a small portion of central Colorado and eastern Utah. The population is small and has declined dramatically in recent decades.

Fun Facts

Gunnison Sage-Grouse were only discovered to be a separate species in the 1990s, and their small, endangered population is declining. They were previously considered to be conspecific with Greater Sage-Grouse.

Gunnison Sage-Grouse produce about 9 plopping sounds during display, compared to 2 by Greater Sage-Grouse.

Vocalizations

Whooshing or plopping sounds are created during display.  Cackles and clucking calls are also given.

 

Similar Species

Nesting

The Gunnison Sage-Grouse’s nest consists of a shallow depression lined with plant materials.

Number: Usually lay 7-9 eggs.
Color: Olive or buffy with darker markings.

Incubation and fledging:
The young hatch at about 25-27 days, and leave the nest shortly after hatching, though associating with the adults for some time.

 

Bent Life History of the Gunnison Sage-Grouse

About the Author

Sam Crowe
Sam is the founder of Birdzilla.com. He has been birding for over 30 years and has a world list of over 2000 species. He has served as treasurer of the Texas Ornithological Society, Sanctuary Chair of Dallas Audubon, Editor of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's "All About Birds" web site and as a contributing editor for Birding Business magazine. Many of his photographs and videos can be found on the site.

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