Day 7 On a Sharp-Tailed Grouse Lek

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Rising before the sun, we settled into our blind and waited for the sharp-tailed grouse to fly into the lek to do their ritual mating dance. It was cold and windy out on the western plains of Nebraska.  Once the sun rose, we could see the birds fluttering about, chasing each other with the males hopping in the air trying to feign warrior behavior to establish desirability in the eyes of the females.  The sharp-tailed grouse makes a gurgling noise that sounds much like they are saying "awesome" as they posture, getting down low and then spreading their wings to wander about looking much like low lying aircraft taxiing on the runway. The distinctive purple skin neck patches and upturned pointed white central feathers are characteristic of the male courtship period colors. We will return to the lek tomorrow to observe their behavior better.

 

 

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