Sage grouse
Centrocercus urophasianus
Identification Tips:
- Large, rounded-winged, ground-dwelling, chicken-like bird
- Long, pointed tail
- Immature similar to adult female but paler
- Legs are feathered to base of toes
Adult male:
- Yellow comb over eye
- Blackish-brown throat and v-shaped mark on neck separated by white
- White breast
- Grayish nape, back and upperwings stippled with white
- Black belly
- Two olive-green air sacs inflated when displaying
Adult female:
- Buffy throat with black markings
- Lower throat and breast barred with blackish-brown
- Gray-brown plumage mottled with white and darker brown
- Dark belly
Similar species:
Large size, grayish plumage, long pointed tail, and black belly eliminate
all other grouse species.