Greater Sage-Grouse
Centrocercus urophasianus
Large turkeylike bird found in extensive areas of sagebrush. Both sexes gray overall with very fine patterning, black belly, and long pointed tail. Males have a white breast and a black throat. Spectacular male display involves fanning tail, inflating yellow air sacs on chest, and thrusting them forward to produce liquid popping noises. Most easily seen at display sites in early spring; can be very inconspicuous at other times of year. Population in severe decline due to habitat destruction. Extremely similar to the much rarer and more local Gunnison Sage-Grouse, but Greater is larger and no range overlap. Also note darker tail and shorter wispier head plumes on Greater when displaying.
Identification
The greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), also known as the sagehen, is the largest grouse in North America. Its range is sagebrush country in the western United States and southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada. It was known as simply the sage grouse until the Gunnison sage-grouse was recognized as a separate species in 2000. The Mono Basin population of sage grouse may also be distinct. The greater sage-grouse is a permanent resident in its breeding grounds but may move short distances to lower elevations during winter. It makes use of a complex lek system in mating and nests on the ground under sagebrush or grass patches. It forages on the ground, mainly eating sagebrush but also other plants and insects. Greater sage-grouse do not have a muscular crop and are not able to digest hard seeds like other grouse. The species is in decline across its range due to habitat loss, and has been recognized as threatened or near threatened by several national and international organizations.
Taxonomy
Genus: Centrocercus; Family: Phasianidae; Order: Galliformes.
- Scientific name
- Centrocercus urophasianus
- Authority
- (Bonaparte, 1827)
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Genus
- Centrocercus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Yellow-backed Oriole
Icterus chrysater
Attractive black-and-yellow oriole. Mainly in pine-oak forest of highlands, but also in humid tropical lowlands of Yucatan Peninsula. Often in flowering trees with other species of orioles. Both sexes have a yellow head and body with a small black mask and throat patch, black wings and tail. Bill is straight and pointed. Richly whistled and slightly halting song carries well.
Sichuan Treecreeper
Certhia tianquanensis
Dull, short-billed treecreeper with a white throat, brown upperparts, and brown-suffused pale underparts. Restricted to mature montane coniferous stands, especially fir. Like other treecreepers, scrambles quickly up trunks and along branches with its tail held flat against the bark. Very similar to Hodgson’s Treecreeper, but Sichuan averages darker on the face and belly, with a different song: a long tinkling series of descending high notes. Call is high-pitched and sputtery, like a sped-up version of the song.
Bismarck Honeyeater
Vosea whitemanensis
A relatively distinctive honeyeater, olive-brown overall with a darker cast to the face and obvious pale bare skin surrounding and extending slightly behind the eye. Bill is long and conspicuously downturned. Found in primary montane forest, forest edge, and occasionally gardens above 900 meters of elevation. Voice is reportedly a sequence of 3-8 soft whistled 2-syllabled notes, but little known.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.