Colorado Booming Grounds

Observing Sage-Grouse displaying at the lek has got to be one of the high points of North American birding. After witnessing it in person I can say that the mating ritual of Greater Sage-Grouse is as captivating as it is comical.

Greater Sage-Grouse

Lekking behaviour is complex, but after observing the lekking birds for an hour or two, it is possible to get a rough idea of the area of the lek, the approximate territorial boundaries of each male bird within the lek, and a good idea of the identity of the dominant male ("master cock").


Greater Sage-Grouse


When the males are not displaying you can barely recognize them.

Greater Sage-Grouse