COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE

Greater​ Sage-grouse 

The largest grouse in North America, the greater sage-grouse is a species of state concern due to range-wide population and habitat declines. CPW is participating in a collaborative conservation effort designed to support greater sage-grouse populations and protect greater sage-grouse habitat. The Avian Research team is conducting a variety of studies to identify and evaluate different management and monitoring strategies.​

Greater Sage-grouse Research Projects:

​Gunnison Sage-grouse​

Smaller than the typical sage-grouse, the ​Gunnison sage-grouse is a unique species of sage-grouse found south of the Colorado River. About 3,500 breeding Gunnison sage-grouse occur among seven separate populations throughout southwest Colorado and southeast Utah. Due to diminishing habitat, the species is of special concern in Colorado. CPW, along with landowners and other partners, has led conservation efforts for the Gunnison sage-grouse for decades. The Avian Research team aims to learn more about the Gunnison sage-grouse and how populations may respond to different conservation strategies.

Gunnison Sage-grous​e Research Projects:​

• Conserving Gunnison Sage-grouse through Captive-rearing
• ​Evaluating the Demography and Movement Patterns of Gunnison Sage-grouse ​
• Conserving Gunnison Sage-grouse Through Captive-rearing
  
  

Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse

A species of special concern in Colorado, the Columbian sharp-tailed grouse is a state game species. The sharp-tail has lost much of its habitat along its former range in North America. But in recent years, through the Conservation Reserve Program, which contracts private landowners to conserve habitat on their property, the sharp-tails have increased in density and distribution. CPW is working to further improve the habitat-suitability of the lands enrolled in this program to further progress the recovery of this important species. 

Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse Research Projects:

• Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse Demographic Response to Habitat Improvements​
• ​Evaluating Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse Chick and Juvenile Radio Transmitter Attachment Techniques ​ 

​​​Waterfowl​​

​With the onset of fall each year, thousands of hunters begin to prep for Colorado’s upcoming waterfowl hunting seasons. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is dedicated to ensuring that all those who receive a license have a successful and satisfactory hunting experience. This involves studying the impacts of hunting management and evaluating habitat conditions and population health. 

Waterfowl ​Projects:

• ​Foraging Ecology of Ducks and other Waterbirds in the South Platte River Basin​
• Waterfowl Hunting Management Along the South Platte River in Eastern Colorado​
• Estimates and Determinants of Duck Production in North Park, Colorado 

​Avian Response to Plague Management

Prairie dog colonies support a diverse community of species, including avian species like the burrowing owl and mountain plover. However, in recent decades, prairie dog populations have begun declining rapidly with the spread of the plague. To combat these declines, CPW began exploring and testing various plague management treatments. In order to determine the full effectiveness and effect​ of these treatments, avian researchers are looking at the impacts of these treatments on nearby avian communities.

• Avian Response to Plague Management on Colorado Prairie Dog Colonies
  
• Time Lapse Video: How many species visit this prairie dog burrow?​
  

Lesser-​Prairie Chicken

A federally and state listed threatened species, the lesser-prairie chicken is found in small fragmented populations in the grasslands of southeast Colorado. In collaboration with other states and partners, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is working to conserve lesser-prairie chickens and their habitat. Current research aims to understand the factors threatening LEPC habitat and to evaluate the effectiveness of various habitat improvement treatments.

Lesser-Prairie Chicken Research Projects:

• Lesser Prairie-Chicken Demography, Habitat Use, and Conservation Practices in Southeastern Colorado ​

​​​Northern Bobwhite​​

​Northern bobwhites are a game bird found in small, isolated populations in eastern Colorado. Few bobwhites are harvested each year in Colorado due to their limited distribution and declining populations. To better understand the factors limiting bobwhite populations and distributions, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is conducting research to evaluate potential habitat management strategies aimed to benefit bobwhites.   

Northern Bobwhite Research Projects:

• Assessing Cheatgrass Control as a Habitat Management Tool to improve Northern Bobwhite Habitat​
  
• ​Northern Bobwhite Response to Short-Duration Intensive Grazing on Tamarack State Wildlife Area​
• ​Nonbreeding Season Survival and Habitat Use of Northern Bobwhite

​​​Grassland Birds​​

Many grassland bird species are experiencing widespread population declines. The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) pays landowners to maintain grassland habitat on their property. With appropriate grassland management, CRP has the potential to provide quality habitat for many grassland bird species. However, little information exists on how specific grassland management practices affect birds in Colorado. ​Therefore, Colorado Parks and Wildlife initiated a research project to evaluate the grassland bird response to management practices conducted on CRP properties.   ​

​Grassland Bird Research Projects:

• ​Avian Response to Conservation Reserve Program Management Practices in Northeastern Colorado​

​​​Brewer's Sparrow​​

​Brewer's Sparrow Research Projects:

• ​Resolving the breeding status and taxonomic identity of Brewer’s Sparrows (Spizella breweri) in high-elevation, alpine habitats near treeline in Colorado​