Centrocercus

Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), United States.

Snake-Columbia shrub steppe

Only among breeders of domestic poultry and female Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) does there seem to be a preference for big-breasted birds; in the case of sage-grouse, the males have developed an elaborate courtship display that exaggerates the size of the breast by expansion of large esophageal pouches and partial extension of cervical apteria (i.e., unfeathered areas between feather tracts), with larger-breasted males attracting and mating with more females.

Breasted Birds

The magnificent Sage grouse now considered to be composed of two species, the Sage, Centrocercus urophasianus, and the Gunnison, Centrocercus minimus is the biggest grouse in North America and perhaps one of the ultimate quarries for dedicated falconers because it is so good in the air as well as large and strong.

Bad news for the Sage Grouse

Among greater sage-grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus, females are smaller than males and have straw-colored feathers.

NYT > Home Page

Other wildlife characteristic of the moist mixed grassland are black-tailed and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus and O. virginianus), pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana), coyote (Canis latrans), short-horned lizard (Phrynosoma douglassi), western rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis), rabbit (Sylvilagus sp.) and sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus).

Northern mixed grasslands

Much of the bird fauna is composed of species typically associated with the prairie potholes: ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis) and Swainson's hawk (Buteo swainsoni), golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), sharp-tailed grouse (Tympahuchus phasianellus) and sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), mountain plover (Charadrius montanus) and clay-colored sparrow (Spizella pallida).

Northern short grasslands

In the more northern regions are several species of ptarmigan or snow partridges (_Lagopus_), which turn white in winter, and the spruce partridges (_Canachites_); in the more genial climate of the great plains of eastern Canada and in the Far West the ruffled grouse and hazel grouse (_Bonasa_), the sage cocks (_Centrocercus_), the prairie hens (_Tympanuchus_), and the blue or pine grouse

Pioneers in Canada

2 Coues thinks the sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) was discovered by

Original journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1804-1806