A Body Popping Bird That Puts On A Stunning Star Like Display Like No Other
THE MALE HAS A PAIR OF INFLATABLE, YELLOW AIR SACS THAT MAKE A VERY UNIQUE SOUND.
A large turkey-like bird that changes dramatically when putting on a spectacular display, puffing out his chest and fanning his tail into a starburst!
MEET THE GREATER SAGE GROUSE
The greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), also known as the sagehen, is a mottle gray-brown bird with a black belly. Males have a black head and throat as well as a white ruff that, during displays surround a pair of inflatable, yellow air sacs that make a sound when thrust forward, producing unique liquid popping noises.
Every spring, male Great sage-grouse congregate in leks to perform a “strutting display where they puff out two yellowish sacs on the neck and fan out their tales. Females watch from a distance and then select the most attractive males with which to mate.
A week to ten days after choosing her mate the hen builds a nest near a lek. Lay anywhere from six to eight eggs which she incubates for up to 25 – 27 days. Hatchlings can fly by the time they around 2 weeks old, though they are not fully independent until they are 10 to 12 weeks old.
WATCH THE GREATER SAGE-GROUSE IN ACTION RIGHT HERE BELOW:
