Greater Sage-Grouse

This Monday we’re highlighting the absolute DIVA, the Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). Hailing from the legendary family of Phasianidae, which includes FIERCE icons such as turkeys, grouse, pheasants, and partridges, the Greater Sage-Grouse makes its biological family members proud with powerful displays. The males specifically have features that would make any fashionista envious Eyebrows? YELLOW and SNATCHED. Tail? FANNED LIKE A STAR. Front plumage? LIKE A FUR COAT. Breastplate? OUT AND PROUD.

For real though, male Greater Sage-Grouse will flaunt their frontal air sacs in a way that looks like they are wearing a breastplate embedded in a fur coat. Birds have air sacs as a part of their respiratory system which helps to make their breathing super efficient, but male Greater Sage-Grouse specifically use their frontal air sacs as a form of breeding display and can use them to make SICKENING sounds. Groups of grouse will form what are called “leks,” which are essentially breeding groups wherein males flaunt their displays in an attempt to score a copulation with a female. Think ballrooms, but in sagebrush, and for birds.

While these amazing divas are bound to make a strong impression on any onlooker, they are unfortunately on red alert when it comes to preservation. The State of the Birds report in 2025 showed that the Greater Sage-Grouse has lost more than 50% of its population in the past 50 years, has a very low population, and the trends of this legendary species continue to be on the decline.

If you’re interested in learning more, check out the resources below and stay tuned in to updates from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the Bureau of Land Management, and other nature resource management organizations. Keep these divas in your heart, send them the best vibes, and manifest that land-use practices will start to account for sustainability to maintain and thriving ecosystem for all of our biological siblings.