Caribou-Targhee National Forest

Curlew National Grasslands

Sharp-Tailed Grouse

General Information:

There are several Grouse species in Idaho, including Sage Grouse, Blue Grouse, Ruff Grouse, and the Sharp-Tailed Grouse. The Sharp-Tailed Grouse is very important and majestic game bird of the northern prairies and shrub lands.

Courtship Ritual:

The courtship of the Sharp-Tail is very impressive. In March, the males move into the “dancing grounds," and establish their territory. This is a time of fighting and sparring with other males. After awhile the boundaries are set. The dominant male is generally near the center.

The sounds made by the Sharp-Tail are hooting and cooing. Their neck sacs are inflated and neck stretched forward. It has a similar sound like the Great Horned Owl. The Sharp-Tailed tail feathers vibrate which make a sound much like that of a jackhammer.

This ritual lasts usually until about mid May.

The way to tell the female from male is that crown feathers of the male are solid black. The female crown feathers are barbed across.

USDA Forest Service - Caribou-Targhee National Forest
Last Modified: Wednesday, 05 November 2008 at 11:44:34 EST