Greater Prairie-chicken
(Tympanuchus cupido)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Biology • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status |
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| IUCN Red List | NT - Near Threatened |
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| NatureServe | N4 - Apparently Secure S3 - Vulnerable |
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| Minnesota | Special Concern Species in Greatest Conservation Need |
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Description |
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Size |
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17″ to 18″ in length |
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Voice |
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Similar Species |
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Habitat |
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Tallgrass prairie intermixed with cropland |
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Biology |
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Migration |
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Nesting |
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Food |
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Mostly leaves, seeds, and cultivated grains, but also buds, berries, and insects in summer. |
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Distribution |
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Occurrence |
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Common year-round resident of seven northwestern Minnesota counties |
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Maps |
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The Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union All Seasons Species Occurrence Map |
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Taxonomy |
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| Class | Aves (birds) | ||
Order |
Galliformes (landfowl) | ||
Family |
Phasianidae (pheasants, grouse, and allies) | ||
| Subfamily | Tetraoninae (grouse) | ||
Genus |
Tympanuchus (prairie-chickens and sharp-tailed grouse) | ||
Subordinate Taxa |
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Greater Prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus) Heath Hen (Tympanuchus cupido cupido) (extinct) Attwater’s Prairie Hen (Tympanuchus cupido attwateri) |
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Synonyms |
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Visitor Photos |
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Dan W. Andree |
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Prairie Chicken in flight... This Prairie Chicken took flight and I got this photo of it as it flew off. Almost looks like ears laid back (pinnated feathers) |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Slideshows |
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| Greater Prairie Chicken Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren |
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| Greater Prairie-Chicken Cory Gregory |
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Visitor Videos |
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Other Videos |
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| Prairie Chicken moconservation |
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About
Uploaded on Aug 17, 2007 http://mdc.mo.gov Beginning in March, prairie chickens in Missouri gather to perform an age-old mating ritual. Its held during the early morning and evening hours on a high, open area called a booming ground. Each male attempts to attract a female while defending their territory from other males. The male produces the unusual "booming" call as he sucks air into bright orange air sacs found on both sides of his neck. The booming draws-in females. They watch as males charge each other, jump into the air, fight, stamp their feet, and display their colorful air sacs. Females presumably choose the most impressive males. |
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| Meet the King......The Prairie King. James Brion |
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About
Uploaded on Jan 7, 2010 See the rare mating rituals of the Greater Prairie Chicken. Rarely seen footage. Filmed at Gobble n Grunt Outfitters/Prairie King Wingshooting. This is a must see. |
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| Prairie Chickens in the Fort Pierre Grasslands South Dakota |
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About
Uploaded on Apr 17, 2008 This is Praire Chickens during the spring mating season at the Fort Pierre National Grasslands in South Dakota. |
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| Greater Prairie Chickens on Booming Grounds in Central Wisconsin Davy Russell |
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About
Published on Apr 22, 2013 Filmed from a blind near Wisconsin Rapids, WI during the annual Greater Prairie Chicken Festival - April 14, 2013. |
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Visitor Sightings |
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| Dan W. Andree 1/12/2022 |
Location: rural Norman Co. Mn. This Prairie Chicken took flight and I got this photo of it as it flew off. Almost looks like ears laid back (pinnated feathers) |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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