SHARP-TAILED GROUSE LEKKING

Description:

A Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse cock displaying at their lek. These grouse were once widespread and abundant in sagebrush steppe habitats of the Rocky mountains, northern Great Basin and Columbian Plateau, but were nearly exterminated by a combination of over hunting,overgrazing and conversion of steppe to agricultural land,and now only occupy less than 5% of their original range. They are far from secure,as much of their remaining habitat is on private land,and the energy boom in the west,both for fossil fuels and wind/geothermal, is degrading our remaining steppe at an increasing and alarming rate.