The Greater Prairie Chicken (Tympanuchus cupido) is a bird species native to the North American prairies. Its peculiar shape makes it unique within the chicken family.
The upper body features black stripes along with white stripes, while the underside is slightly white with black stripes. The area above the eyes is bright yellow. Notably, it has two tufts of feathers on either side of its head and two orange-yellow skin pouches on the sides of its neck. With a short and rounded tail, and strong, short legs, it can run swiftly. This bird averages about 43 cm in length and weighs approximately 0.9 kg.
Male and female Greater Prairie Chickens look similar, but the female has a less feathery tail and smaller skin pouches on her neck compared to the male.
Their diet consists of seeds, young shoots, berries, leaves, and some insects, primarily grasshoppers. In winter, they mainly consume grasses, while in summer, they eat more insects. Despite being a cold-weather bird, they do not migrate. If necessary, they can fly several miles to forage and then return to their original habitat.
Greater Prairie Chickens typically forage at dawn and late afternoon, becoming lethargic during midday. They use the warm midday hours to bask in the sun on cold days and rest in the shade during hot days. They roost at twilight and start their active day at dawn.
The breeding season for the Greater Prairie Chicken begins in early spring and lasts until June. In March, during early mornings or late evenings, males gather in specific areas, often on high hills, to “display” their prowess. Males dance, call, and spar to establish territory. Their head feathers puff out, their neck pouches and tail feathers expand, and their eye markings widen as they stomp and crow. The stronger males secure larger and more central territories, attracting females for mating.
The female Greater Prairie Chicken nests on the ground in grassy areas, scraping a hole in the earth and lining it with leaves, grass, and down. The nest is dish-shaped, simple in appearance, roughly 18 cm in diameter and 5-8 cm deep. Females lay between 7 to 17 eggs and incubate them for about 23-24 days.
Chicks can leave the nest shortly after hatching. The mother cares for them, and within 1-2 weeks, they are capable of flight. At this stage, their diet consists mostly of insects rather than plants.
This prairie bird prefers vast areas rich in tall grasses and is primarily distributed across North America. However, this uniquely shaped bird is becoming increasingly rare. Its population is rapidly declining due to habitat loss caused by human encroachment. Livestock compete for food, and authorities are concerned that one day this beautiful and unusual bird may no longer exist.
In the wild, wolves, foxes, badgers, and prairie dogs often prey on this bird. Nests are frequently attacked and destroyed by skunks, ground squirrels, and wild boars.
Globally, Tympanuchus cupido is currently protected as an endangered species. They are carefully nurtured in various locations, including zoos in Texas. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Conservation Reserve Program is working to preserve this special bird. Farmers who agree to participate in this conservation program voluntarily plant suitable grasses for the Greater Prairie Chicken on their fields or engage in planting grasses along field edges or canal banks to create natural habitats for them.
