Welcome to the World of Greater Sage-Grouses
Greater Sage-Grouses
Centrocercus urophasianus
Also known as: Sage grouse
Average lifespan: 1–6 years in the wild
Primary habitat: Sagebrush steppe and open shrublands
Geographic range: Western North America
Overview
The greater sage-grouse is a large ground-dwelling bird closely tied to sagebrush ecosystems. Famous for its elaborate mating displays, it depends almost entirely on sagebrush for food and shelter. Declines in sagebrush habitat have made the species a major focus of grassland and shrubland conservation.
What It Looks Like
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Large, round-bodied bird
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Mottled brown, gray, and white feathers
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Long, pointed tail
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Males have yellow air sacs on the chest
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Females are smaller and more camouflaged
How It Behaves
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Mostly active during the day
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Forms groups outside the breeding season
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Males gather on communal mating grounds called leks
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Relies on camouflage and short flights to avoid predators
What It Eats
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Sagebrush leaves, especially in winter
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Insects during spring and summer
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Flowers and forbs
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Omnivorous with strong seasonal shifts
Life Cycle
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Breeding occurs in early spring
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Females lay 6–9 eggs in ground nests
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Chicks hatch after about 25 days
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Young depend heavily on insects early in life
Survival Skills
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Camouflage that blends into sagebrush
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Seasonal diet flexibility
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Elaborate mating displays that reduce direct competition
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Strong site fidelity to known habitats
Fast Facts
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One of North America’s largest grouse species
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Males perform dramatic chest-popping displays
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Almost completely dependent on sagebrush
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Population declines closely track habitat loss
Conservation
Greater sage-grouse are a key indicator species of the sagebrush ecosystem, relying on vast, healthy sagebrush landscapes that also support hundreds of other plants and animals. They are threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation from energy development, agriculture, invasive grasses, altered fire regimes, and climate change, which disrupt breeding leks and nesting areas. Conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring sagebrush habitat, managing development, reducing wildfire impacts, and coordinated state, federal, and private land stewardship to stabilize and recover populations.​