For most of the year, the Greater Sage-Grouse is a secretive inhabitant of western sagebrush habitats. In the spring, though, males get together to display to females by fanning their pointy tails, inflating their voluminous air sacs, doing a little dance, and emitting a series of sounds that includes swishes, whistles, pops, and a deep "ga-lunk".
Greater Sage-Grouse
Centrocercus urophasianus
Photo:
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Greater Sage-Grouse
Status and Trends
Distribution
Methods
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
Summary
Trend
Large Decrease
Confidence: Very High
Goal
Below Goal Range
Greater Sage-Grouse phaios subspecies
Trend
Large Decrease
Confidence: Very High
Goal
Not Applicable
Population Estimate
0
Greater Sage-Grouse urophasianus subspecies
Trend
Large Decrease
Confidence: Very High
Goal
Below Goal Range
Population Estimate
200
The northern limits of the Greater Sage-Grouse's range just cross the border into the sage grasslands of western Canada. Historically, two subspecies were present in Canada, but only one remains. The phaios subspecies formerly occurred in the arid valleys of southern British Columbia, but has not been observed since the 1960s. This population is considered Extirpated by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. A small population of the urophasianus subspecies lives in the sagebrush grasslands in southeastern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan. This population is listed as Endangered under the Species at Risk Act, and has undergone a large decline of approximately 98%, to a current level around 200 individuals. This represents less than 1% of the global population and a very low responsibility for Canada. It is below its goal range.
Migration Strategy
Resident
Canadian Responsibility
Population Estimates
Breeding
200
Annual
200
Global
430,000
Related readings
Summary report
View the report
Trends from this species and others are rolled up into The State of Canada’s Birds Summary Report. Follow the link below to view the report, learn more about birds in Canada, and see how we can all help birds.
This species is included in the following analysis groups for the report:
Grassland Birds
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – Greater Sage-Grouse. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/9vff-dh45
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
For most of the year, the Greater Sage-Grouse is a secretive inhabitant of western sagebrush habitats. In the spring, though, males get together to display to females by fanning their pointy tails, inflating their voluminous air sacs, doing a little dance, and emitting a series of sounds that includes swishes, whistles, pops, and a deep "ga-lunk".
Distribution and Occurrence
1170
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Related readings
Summary report
View the report
Trends from this species and others are rolled up into The State of Canada’s Birds Summary Report. Follow the link below to view the report, learn more about birds in Canada, and see how we can all help birds.
This species is included in the following analysis groups for the report:
Grassland Birds
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – Greater Sage-Grouse. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/9vff-dh45