Greater sage-grouse are best known for their elaborate courtship displays that occur on traditional strutting grounds, known as leks, where males gather each spring.

At all seasons, both sexes are readily identified by large size and chicken-like build. Adults are mottled dark gray, black and buff, with black bellies and pointed tails. Males have specializations used in display. Their tail feathers are long and pointed with white spots. They have yellow combs over each eye and a chest sac with two bare, yellow patches of skin which are inflated during display. The display lasts only a few seconds and is a combination of color, movement and sound.

They are most common in the southeastern desert regions of the state and generally limited to sagebrush habitats. Greater sage-grouse are an Oregon Conservation Strategy Species in both the Blue Mountains and Northern Basin and Range ecosystems. 

Hear the call of the greater sage-grouse

Oregon Sage-Grouse Development Siting Tool

• Brochure (pdf)
• Oregon Explorer Sage-Grouse Development Siting Tool

Photo by Charlotte Ganskopp