Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Sage grouse

November 30, 2017

Sage grouse are a group of chicken-sized birds with a unique breeding behavior and dependence on sagebrush shrubs (genus Artemisia) for food and shelter throughout their life cycle. In the last century, human population expansion throughout western North America has reduced the amount of sagebrush and degraded and fragmented the remaining areas. Vanishing sagebrush has resulted in sage grouse (genus Centrocercus) population declines and elevated conservation concern. Western Colorado is home to both species of sage grouse: greater sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) and Gunnison sage grouse (Centrocercus minimus). Populations in the state, and throughout their range, have declined sufficiently to warrant consideration for federal protection for both species under the Endangered Species Act.

Publication Year 2017
Title Sage grouse
Authors Shawna Zimmerman, Jennifer M. Timmer, Cameron L. Aldridge, Sara J. Oyler-McCance, Clait E. Braun, Jessica R. Young
Publication Type Book Chapter
Publication Subtype Book Chapter
Index ID 70193850
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Fort Collins Science Center