Sage Grouse Leks

Venturing out to take a head count of sage grouse on a newly discovered, and very significant, sage grouse strutting ground, or lek, NDOW biologists and volunteers got a first hand reminder that early morning rising is for the birds – literally. Sleepy-eyed sage grouse counters got a case of the early bird syndrome thanks to observant NDOW volunteers whose discovery in the Pah Rah mountain range prompted this particular excursion. The ultimate goal: to observe, count, band and radio-collar a sampling of the sage grouse as part of an ongoing state-wide sage grouse conservation effort to determine how the birds are doing in Nevada.

A lek is a sage grouse strutting ground, or a location where sage grouse congregate to mate. A low “gla-glub, gla-glub” of the grouse can be heard just before the darkness gives way to dawn, and surveyors can catch glimpses of white-chested males moving among the low lying rocks and brush. The smaller females, without the distinguishing white breast, are harder to spot. Continue on to learn more about sage grouse in Nevada.

The Mating Dance

During the breeding or strutting ritual, male sage grouse puff out their bright yellow throat sacs which are bordered with white feathers, flare their sharply pointed tail feathers and strut in an impressive display around the lek in an attempt to woo a female mate. The sage grouse continue their strutting on and off for an hour or two after the warm sun moves over the mountains and onto the lek, then it’s on with the day as usual, though occasionally sage grouse have been found strutting at other times of the day or night. The breeding season typically begins in mid March and lasts through mid-May.

Because of the number of birds that congregate in one area, leks are generally the best areas to get the most accurate head counts of sage grouse. The number of birds that show up varies from lek to lek – some leks may draw only two sage male grouse, while others may draw 250. Adult sage grouse often return to the same leks year after year, vying for the dominant position.

Credit - Mike Dobel Male sage grouse compete to win the affections of a female grouse.

So, what attributes do female sage grouse look for in a mate? Though the males flash and flaunt their feather and fancy footwork, according to NDOW biologist San Stiver, studies have shown that females are drawn toward males with a deeper acoustic call than other males on the lek.

“The dominant males tend to have a small territory within the lek,” Stiver explained. “Females are initially drawn to these territories, yet if that preferred male is not there, they seem to search out the most dominant male with the deepest calls.”

Sage Grouse Habitat

Sage grouse are found in fifteen of Nevada's 17 counties. Typical sage grouse habitat consists of (yep, you guessed it), sagebrush. The sagebrush obligate species eats the brush and uses it for nesting under as well as general shelter and cover.

This sage grouse blends in easily with its surroundings on this lek.

Although they are the largest of the North American grouse species, with males weighing up to eight pounds, the striking brown, black and white colored sage grouse have adapted well to blend into their surroundings and they are often undistinguishable from tones of the muted Nevada landscape. Many Nevada outdoor enthusiasts have been sent inches in the air with surprise as an unseen sage grouse flushes just footsteps from their boots.

Leks, or sage grouse breeding grounds, tend to be located on piece of land with low or no vegetation. There are about 1,500 known leks throughout Nevada, and most likely just as many that are yet undiscovered. Sage grouse leks are relatively close to good nesting habitat. Preferred nesting habitat is within sagebrush covered areas with a good under-story of forbs and grasses. The female sage grouse build their nests, which will hold eight to ten eggs, on the ground under sagebrush.

Females must guard her eggs from predators such as squirrels and ravens while at the same time protecting themselves from golden eagles, falcons, hawks, coyotes and foxes.

Conservation Efforts

Sage Grouse were historically very abundant across Nevada and the West. The greater (northern) Sage Grouse is the most common grouse species in Nevada and is found throughout the west. However, due to diminishing habitat of slow growing sagebrush due to development, fire, invasive weeds and other factors, an effort is being made to list the sage grouse as an endangered species.

To help avoid such a listing, Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn appointed a team of approximately 25 people from diverse backgrounds and interests to his Sage Grouse Conservation Team in June of 2000. The mission of the team, as defined by Governor Guinn, is "To conserve and protect Nevada's sage grouse and their habitat," and as such, NDOW is working steadily to that end.

While Greater Sage Grouse still thrive in much of the species’ range in Nevada, the Conservation Team is attempting a pro-active strategy to find solutions to localized problems before the species truly reaches a threshold of vulnerability from which recovery might be difficult. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designated the Gunnison Sage Grouse as a "candidate" for the Endangered Species list, having disappeared from most of its historic habitat.

The listing of sage grouse as an endangered species in Nevada would have significant impacts on the State. Sage grouse are found in fifteen of Nevada's 17 counties, and land use, economics, water use and recreational activities may be adversely affected.
Conservation plans and agreements are elements that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service take into account when considering listing a species for protection under the Endangered Species Act, thus the creation of the Nevada Sage Grouse Conservation Team and their resulting actions represent a significant action to prevent the Endangered Species listing of the sage grouse.