Sage-grouse Identification

    Sage-grouse Identification

    The greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), often called a ‘sage chicken’ in Utah, is the largest grouse species in North America. Adult males can reach weights exceeding 7 pounds and wing spans of 2.5 feet and can be twice the weight of the females.

     

    Male Sage-grouse

     

    Female Sage-grouse

    Look-a-likes

    Several other upland game bird species may occur in sage-grouse habitat at different times of the year. Some species may be hard to distinguish in the field, but a trained eye, binoculars, and a good bird field book are helpful. Sage-grouse are the only species with a black belly patch. The three species below are those most likely to be misidentified as sage-grouse.

    Dusky Grouse
    (Dendragapus obscurus)

    Dusky GrouseSimilar in size to sage-grouse, the bluegrouse, or pine hen, is blue-grey in color, is less mottled than and has rounded instead of pointed tail feathers.

    Dusky Grouse
    (Dendragapus obscurus)

    radio telemetrySmaller in size than the sage-grouse with a shorter pointed tail, white underparts, brown and white coloring, and a slight crest on their head.

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