Sharp-tailed grouse Tympanuchus phasianellus

Identification Tips:

• Length: 15 inches
• Sexes similar
• Medium-sized, stocky, round-winged, chicken-like bird
• Short crest on crown
• Narrow, pointed tail with white outer tail feathers
• Whitish plumage with darker brown, black and tan chevrons about head, neck, back and underparts
• Legs feathered to base of toes

Adult male:

• Yellow comb over eye
• Pinkish to pale violet neck patch exposed when displaying

Adult female:

• Lacks yellow comb and neck patch

Similar species:

Female Ring-necked Pheasant is smaller-headed, with a longer tail that lacks white outer feathers. Prairie-Chickens have barred underparts and shorter tails. Ruffed Grouse is richer brown with a fan-shaped tail that has a black subterminal band.

Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.