Peculiar Prairie-Chickens

Blog Category
Discover Nature Notes
Published Display Date
Mar 02, 2015
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Animals have interesting ways of attracting their mates. But the prairie-chicken’s mating ritual may be one of the most bizarre.

As the sun rises over the prairie, the lonesome, haunting calls of prairie-chickens signal an ageless ritual.

Prairie-chickens are cousins to quail and ruffed grouse. Beginning in March, the males gather during the pale light of dawn and again toward evening. Groups of five to 35 males perform an age-old ritual on what is called a lek (leck) or booming ground. The birds find a high, open area usually on a knoll or ridge. Each male defends part of the lek from other males. Here, he produces the unusual “booming” call, which resembles the sound of air blowing over a soda bottle. He such air into bright orange air sacs found on both sides of his neck.

The booming draws females to the lek. They watch coyly from the sidelines as males charge each other, jump into the air, fight, stamp their feet, and display their colorful air sacs. Females presumably choose the most impressive males.

Prairie-chickens depend on native grasslands. Protection of these prairie homes will help assure that the prairie boomers continue to greet the sunrises of spring.

An Endangered Breed

  • The prairie-chicken was once a prized game bird in Missouri. Its colorful habits, however, keep it popular among wildlife enthusiasts.
  • Prairie-chickens are indicators of healthy grassland ecosystems and are part of the unique, interconnected community of plants and animals in Missouri prairies.
  • Loss of suitable habitat is one of the largest reasons for this species’ decline.
  • Prairie-chickens eat insects, forb seeds, and greens, as well as some grains.
  • Fewer than 500 birds remain in isolated populations in southwest, northwest and north-central Missouri.

Find out more about the prairie-chicken with MDC’s Field Guide.

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