Why are Gunnison sage grouse endangered?

How are sage grouse affected by energy development?

Greater sage-grouse are adversely affected by energy development and infrastructure, even when mitigative measures are implemented. The species is affected by direct habitat loss, fragmentation of important seasonal habitats by roads, pipelines and power lines, and human and vehicle-related disturbance.

What is a sagebrush grouse?

A population of smaller birds, known in the U.S. as Gunnison Sage-Grouse, was recently recognized as a separate species. Sagebrush steppe is home to a surprising abundance of flora and fauna that depend on this complex, fragile ecosystem. Sage-grouse are an indicator species for sagebrush habitats.

Are the Gunnison sage-grouse endangered?

In 2005, biologists and field staff at the Fish and Wildlife Service proposed listing the Gunnison sage-grouse as endangered – even having gone as far as drafting a press release and planning public hearings to announce the listing decision and proposal to designate over 900,000 acres as critical habitat.

How many sage grouse are in the United States?

The sage- grouse current population is as low as 142,000. The current Range-wide abundance has decreased between 69-99 percent from historic levels. Greater sage-grouse are adversely affected by energy development and infrastructure, even when mitigative measures are implemented.

Where do sagebrush birds live in the US?

A Wide Open Sagebrush Range. Historically, sage grouse ranged over 15 western states and 3 Canadian provinces. The birds have been extirpated from Arizona, New Mexico, Nebraska, and British Columbia. These birds declined as their habitat dwindled from crop cultivation, expanding conifers, and other habitat alterations.

Why are sage-grouse populations declining?

Greater sage-grouse populations are predicted to decline 7 to 19 percent from the effects of oil and gas development in the eastern part of the range, continuing historic population declines range-wide.

What is a sage grouse?

A symbol of the American West, the greater sage grouse is a large, ground-dwelling bird known for its spell-binding mating dances, in which the males inflate their chests to show off their strength.

Are greater sage-grouse endangered?

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined greater sage-grouse was “warranted, but precluded” for protection under the Endangered Species Act in March 2010. Both the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service list the sage-grouse as a “sensitive species” range-wide.

Are coyotes to blame for the decline in the grouse population?

Some in PA indicated many grouse habitats were in low, wet areas conducive to bird flu – type disease…aiding in the grouse decline. Say you? Don’t blame coyotes.

What is the main problem with grouse decline in Pennsylvania?

No one will actually name the main problem with grouse decline. Sure predators, habitat, being causes, but the introduction of turkey along with DNR being able to charge for turkey tags has been a major factor in the decline. In 1985 I did a job at Raccoon State Park in SW Pa.

Is the sage-grouse population decreasing?

Populations of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) have declined by 33% from their long-term average population size and have been lost from much of their historical range. The extent of declines for most other species is unknown because they are not adequately sampled by existing surveys.

What is a sage-grouse bird?

The sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) is a large, rounded-winged, spike-tailed, ground-dwelling bird, about two feet tall and weighing from two to seven pounds. The birds are found at elevations ranging to 9,000 feet and are highly dependent on sagebrush for nesting, cover and feed.

Why study greater sage-grouse and Gunnison sage-grouse?

Greater sage-grouse and Gunnison sage-grouse are closely related, charismatic ambassadors for the Sagebrush Sea, a critically important western landscape that supports hundreds of fish and wildlife species.

How far can a Sage Grouse fly?

The sage grouse are large birds and prefer to walk, but are still able to fly as far as six miles at a time at 50 miles per hour. They migrate seasonally, typically from Canada to Montana or other states in the northwest.

How many sage-grouse are left in the world?

According to the IUCN Red List, the total Gunnison sage-grouse population size is around 2,500-2,600 individuals, including 1,700 mature individuals. Currently this species is classified as Endangered (EN) and its numbers today are decreasing.

Is the ruffed grouse endangered in Indiana?

You’ve probably heard by now that ruffed grouse have been proposed for state endangered listing in Indiana. Other states are likely to follow if current trends continue. Although the ruffed grouse is not currently listed under the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, it may be trending that way.

Is the North American breeding bird population declining?

The North American Breeding Bird Survey indicates a long-term population decline since 1966. Some states have been battling with emergency closures of hunting seasons out of concern for the grouse population.

What are the Predators of the grouse?

However, know that the grouse have existed and thrived on this continent for countless millennia with both coyotes and bobcats, along with numerous avian predators – so predators alone aren’t enough to eliminate grouse from our landscape.

What happened to Pennsylvania’s state bird?

A ruffed grouse is shown in a Pennsylvania thicket. Photo by Timothy Flanigan/Nature Exposure Pennsylvania’s state bird is in serious trouble. The ruffed grouse, known for its signature wing drumming in the spring woods, and speedy, explosive flushes when startled, has been vanishing from the landscape.

Is the sage-grouse population increasing or decreasing?

The research found that in recent decades, the rate of greater sage-grouse decline increased in western portions of the species’ range, particularly in the Great Basin, while the declines have been less severe in eastern areas. Western Wyoming was the only region to show relatively stable sage-grouse populations recently.