136: Gunnison Sage-grouse
Back in #126, we talked about the Greater Sage grouse, so get excited for the LESSER Sage Grouse, which of course, just means smaller. This is of course the Gunnison Sage Grouse, of whom 87% live in the Gunnison Valley of southwestern Colorado. They are very similar to their Greater counterparts in lifestyle (the lek mating system) and appearance (huge expandable air sacs on the males for mating). They are also critically endangered due to loss of habitat (there are only about 3000 individuals remaining) and have been the focus of conservation efforts in Colorado and Utah since 2000.
Incidentally, 2000 is when the Gunnison sage grouse was described as a separate species from the Greater sage grouse. This was determined by studying their gene flow, which showed no relationship between the two species.
Their habitat is threatened by cattle, and, to a lesser extent sheep. This is because their native sagebrush environment has been taken over since the late 19th century by agricultural use; cattle and sheep eat the same species of plant that the grouses need to feed their young. As a result, right now, they have lost approximately 90% of their historic range.
You can visit the Gunnison Valley in April to see them practising their distinctive mating styles in their leks.