Greater Sage-Grouse
Also known as: Gunnison Sage-grouse
48 cm (19") Common. Sagebrush in western North America. Restricted in range to southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah, with the largest population residing in the Gunnison Basin region in Colorado. Large size, black belly and long pointed tail are unmistakable. Almost identical to the closely related Greater Sage-Grouse in appearance but about a third smaller in size, with much thicker plumes behind the head and a less elaborate courtship dance.
Male: black throat; puff out white chest in communal courtship display to show two yellow sacks. Long tail is erected and fanned during this display.
Female: speckled brown overall.
Videos
Watch
Credit: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Watch
Credit: Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Images
Credit: Marcel Holyoak