Environment
Fact-checked

At AllThingsNature, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What is a Greater Prairie Chicken?

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

The greater prairie chicken is an unusual and increasingly rare bird, native to the American plains of the Midwest. Notable for startling flashes of color and its serious mating dance, this bird has many admirers and friends among the birding world. Habitat reduction and hunting did considerable damage to the wild population of these birds; several subspecies are extinct or critically endangered, and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) declared the species vulnerable to extinction in 2008, noting a continued downward population trend.

Tympanuchus cupido, as the prairie chicken is officially known, is a medium-sized bird that somewhat resembles its more common chicken cousins. Patterned in a camouflaging brown and white, the male bird also features bright orange air sacs on each side of the throat, which are inflated as part of a mating dance or ritual. Female birds are more uniformly brown.

The greater prairie chicken now only exists in patchy settlements in the Dakotas, Nebraska, and Kansas, with remnant populations in Texas.
The greater prairie chicken now only exists in patchy settlements in the Dakotas, Nebraska, and Kansas, with remnant populations in Texas.

The mating dance of the male greater prairie chicken has long interested bird lovers. During mating season, several males may perform the dance in the same area, hoping to attract a mate from among nearby females. During the dance, the bird hops or staggers around, keeping its head low, puffing up a tuft of feathers on the head, and repeatedly inflating the orange throat sacs. Dance is accompanied with song; the male makes a soft, low hooting call throughout.

Prairie chickens mate in March and April with eggs hatching in about three weeks. Before hatching, nests face several dangers from competing species and the environment. Nests are built on the ground, making them vulnerable to the commonly heavy spring rains on the prairies. Habitat reduction has lead to another threat; pheasants will sometimes lay their faster-hatching eggs in a convenient chicken nest, leading the chicken parents to believe that young have already hatched and thus neglecting the nest.

These once wide-ranging birds are now constricted to a far small area. Whereas their range once flourished throughout parts of over 20 states, the greater prairie chicken now only exists in patchy settlements in North and South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas, with remnant populations in Texas, Minnesota, and Illinois. The heath hen, a subspecies of the greater prairie chicken that lived along the Atlantic coast, was declared extinct in 1932. With population numbers continuing to drop, some environmental experts believe that only extraordinary measures will keep the population viable in the coming years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Greater Prairie Chicken?

The Greater Prairie Chicken is a North American bird species known for its unique mating display called "booming." This ground-dwelling grouse is characterized by its mottled brown, white, and black plumage and distinctive orange air sacs on males. They inhabit native prairies and are a symbol of healthy grassland ecosystems.

Where can you find Greater Prairie Chickens?

Greater Prairie Chickens are primarily found in the central United States, with strongholds in Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Their range once extended throughout the tallgrass and mixed-grass prairies but has significantly diminished due to habitat loss and fragmentation.

What are the main threats to Greater Prairie Chickens?

The main threats to Greater Prairie Chickens are habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation, primarily due to agricultural expansion and urban development. Additionally, climate change and invasive plant species altering their native prairie habitats pose significant risks to their populations.

How do Greater Prairie Chickens perform their mating display?

During the spring mating season, male Greater Prairie Chickens gather on leks, which are communal display grounds. They perform an elaborate dance with stamping feet, erecting feathers, and inflating orange air sacs to produce a deep, resonating "boom" to attract females. This display is a remarkable spectacle of avian behavior.

What is the conservation status of the Greater Prairie Chicken?

As of my knowledge cutoff in 2023, the Greater Prairie Chicken is considered vulnerable, with some populations listed as threatened or endangered at the state level. Conservation efforts focus on habitat restoration and management to ensure the survival of this iconic species.

How can people help in the conservation of Greater Prairie Chickens?

People can aid in the conservation of Greater Prairie Chickens by supporting prairie restoration projects and organizations that protect grassland habitats. Advocating for sustainable agricultural practices and land use policies that consider wildlife conservation is also crucial. Participating in citizen science programs to monitor populations can further contribute to their protection.

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a AllThingsNature writer.

Learn more...
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a AllThingsNature writer.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Telsyst

If prairie chicken hunting is a problem and the on-the-ground nests pose problems with other species, the best way to avoid total extinction would most likely be to build private hatcheries, much like those designed for chicken and egg farms.

Farmers and zoos can create a habitat for these birds that is very close to their native environment and eventually introduce multiple chickens to the farm to promote mating.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • The greater prairie chicken now only exists in patchy settlements in the Dakotas, Nebraska, and Kansas, with remnant populations in Texas.
      By: Hamik
      The greater prairie chicken now only exists in patchy settlements in the Dakotas, Nebraska, and Kansas, with remnant populations in Texas.