Lesser Prairie-Chicken
The Lesser Prairie-Chicken is a Grouse species which is adapted to arid short-grass regions of the southern Great Plains of the United States. It’s closely related to its near relative, the Greater Prairie-Chicken, but differs mainly in being slightly smaller and paler.
The Lesser Prairie-Chicken is a ‘Gamebird’ of a sandy color with brown barred markings. The male has yellow wattles of bare skin above his eyes and red air sacs on his throat’s sides. He also has longer neck-plumes and is slightly larger than the female. The pale colors of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken provide a perfect camouflage in the sandy grasslands of its habitat.
In April, male Lesser Prairie-Chickens compete for access to females via a lekking system. Following mating, the male takes no further part in the care of his offspring. The female Lesser Prairie-Chicken lays a clutch of 12 – 15 eggs in a nest hidden among the grass. She incubates them for around 22 – 24 days. Young Lesser Prairie-Chickens are able to make short flights at age of 1-2 weeks, but are not full-grown until they are several more weeks older.
Place of origin | The USA |
Use | Preservation |
Weight | Male: 684 – 813 g female: 628 – 772 g |
Egg color | Whitish to pale buff, finely speckled with brown and olive |