Sharp-Tailed Grouse - Sierra Club BC
Skip to content
Sharp-Tailed Grouse

CAN BE FOUND IN:

Sharp-Tailed Grouse

Tympanuchus phasianellus caurus (Alaskan), T.p.campestris (Prairie) 

Appearance

Sharp-tailed grouse are about 15 inches in length and have a narrow, pointed tail with white outer feathers. Their body feathers are white with brown, tan, and black on the head, neck, and back. The males have a violet neck patch and a yellow comb over their eyes, but none of the females have the neck patch or comb. 

Range & Habitat

The Alaska and prairie sharp-tailed grouse can be found in northern British Columbia. They make their homes in grasslands, scrub forests, and arid sagebrush. The populations of Alaska and prairie sharp-tailed grouse in the north are increasing because of the clear-cutting of forests that leaves behind a more open grassy space, which the grouse choose as their habitat. 

Reciprocal relationships

Sharp-tailed grouse are ground feeders and they eat buds, grains, and flowers, and also some in-season insects. The presence of these birds can help indicate healthy grassland ecosystems! Grouse overwinter in natural grasslands and riparian areas that have cover for the birds. If they can last the winter, it indicates healthy canopy cover and plant diversity.  

One of the gifts of the grouse is their ability to enthrall and perform! They have an extravagant mating dance that is performed on mating grounds known as leks. During courtship, they make a low, single, or double cooing sound to attract a mate. Nine to twelve young is a typical number in a sharp-tailed grouse clutch (a group of eggs laid together). These buff-brown coloured eggs are laid into a low nest made of grasses and are incubated for 23 to 24 days. 

While most grouse are not threatened, the columbianus subspecies is currently at risk due to the loss of grassland habitat in Southern British Columbia.

status

COSEWIC: Not Reported 
CDC: Yellow, columbianus subspecies is blue-listed 

more information

If you belong to a First Nation with a story or piece of information not represented here and you would like to share more about this species, please email us at education@sierraclub.bc.ca.   

photo credit

Jared Hobbs

Related Species

Filter by Taxonomy

Filter by EcoProvince

American Kestrel

American Kestrel

The American kestrel is the smallest falcon in North America and weighs only 3 or 4 ounces.

American White Pelican

American White Pelican

American white pelicans are some of the largest birds in North America. They hunt together, driving small schools of fish into each other’s bill pouches.

Arctic tern

Arctic tern

Arctic terns are unique birds with gifts of persistence and resourcefulness. These birds must fly great distances, and in doing so they have a diet with a variety of sea life.

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle

Bald eagles are found all over B.C. and the U.S. The largest populations in North America live in B.C. and Alaska.

Banana Slug

Banana Slug

Banana slugs are important decomposers in our coastal rainforest. They are nocturnal feeders, eating decaying animals, mushrooms, and plants.

Beaver

Beaver

The beaver possesses many gifts! They are adept at swimming, building, and tree chomping.

Bighorn Sheep

Bighorn Sheep

The bighorn sheep are important primary consumers in the food chain. They are vegetarians, eating grasses, bushes and leaves.

Black and White Warbler

Black and White Warbler

These iconic Canadian birds are also called the ‘black and white creeper’ because they creep along tree trunks looking for tasty insects.

Black Bear

Black Bear

Black bears and Pacific salmon play an important part in maintaining our forest ecosystems.

Bocaccio Rockfish

Bocaccio Rockfish

Bocaccio rockfish are important consumers. These fish eat smaller fish such as anchovies, mackerel, squid and other rockfish.

Bonaparte's Gull

Bonaparte's Gull

These gulls nest in large numbers and produce two to three eggs at a time. These gulls are gifted with agility.

Boreal Chickadee

Boreal Chickadee

Boreal chickadees are an important indicator species of boreal ecosystems!