The greater prairie chicken, tympanuchus cupido, is a part of the grouse family. They measure 16 to 18 inches (40.6 to 45.7 centimeters) in length and weigh from 24.7 to 42.3 ounces (700 to 1200 grams). Their wingspan is an impressive 28 inches (71 centimeters) in length from wingtip to wingtip. Males and females both have brown and white plumage all over their bodies, including their toes. They also differ from females in that they have longer neck feathers as well as inflatable orange neck sacs and yellow eye combs. A male greater prairie chicken will inflate its neck sacs when performing its mating ritual to attract females.
The greater prairie chicken can be found in scattered areas of southern Canada and the mid-western United States. They will often inhabit open prairies and oak savannah, spending most of their lives in a relatively small area of several hundred acres. Tall grasses that are sturdy enough to withstand strong winds and heavy precipitation are necessary for both roosting and nesting. These birds do not migrate, roosting in tall grass during the winter (even underneath deep snow). Most of their feeding is done early in the morning and late in the afternoon.
The diet of a greater prairie chicken consists of agricultural crops such as corn, milo and soybeans as well as seeds, green leaves and insects. They do the majority of their foraging on the ground. They will, however, also search for food in trees and in shrubs when they have to. Predators of these birds include introduced species such as foxes and feral cats among others.
Breeding season for the greater prairie chicken takes place from early spring all the way to June. Males will dance and call to females (called hens) on places called ‘booming grounds’ or ‘leks.’ Males will often fight each other over territories within the lek. After all of the fighting has been done, there are usually only 1 or 2 dominant males that remain and they will perform the majority of the mating. After mating, hens will build nests made in a bowl shape out of grasses, leaves, twigs and feathers that they pluck from their breast. Hens will lay a clutch of 4 to 17 eggs (12 on average) and incubate them until they hatch (which takes 23 to 24 days). Chicks are raised by their mother and fed primarily insects for nourishment. They fledge (learn to fly) anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks after they hatch and remain with their mother for 8 to 10 weeks. If the chicks can survive long enough, then they can live to be up to 3 years old.
The greater prairie chicken is an endangered species. Habitat loss is by far their greatest threat as they have lost an estimated 97 percent of their historic range. Competition with other animals, over-grazing by cattle and hunting are all leading to a rapid decline for these birds. Hopefully, something drastic can be done before the greater prairie chicken meets the same fate as its relative, the heath hen (declared extinct in 1932). After all, such a unique creature deserves to live and prosper for future generations to see.
Works Cited
“Greater Prairie Chicken” 31 July 2011
“Greater Prairie Chicken (Tympanuchus Cupido)” 31 July 2011
“Greater Prairie-Chicken” 31 July 2011
“Greater Prairie-chicken” 31 July 2011
“Greater Prairie Chicken” 31 July 2011