Gunnison Sage-Grouse
Almost all Gunnison sage-grouse live in Colorado, and their survival relies on continued partnerships with landowners to protect and enhance the sagebrush habitat they rely on.
About This Species
The Gunnison sage-grouse was classified as a unique species of sage-grouse in 2000. Compared to the closely related greater sage-grouse, Gunnison sage-grouse are about one third smaller and the males have more distinct, white tail feathers and filoplume (hair-like feathers) on the back of the head.
Threatened and Endangered
Federally Threatened and State Special Concern
The Gunnison sage-grouse is federally listed as threatened. Loss of habitat is the biggest cause of this bird’s population decline, and almost all Gunnison sage-grouse are found in Colorado.
Conservation
Bringing Gunnison Sage-Grouse Back to Colorado
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is currently collaborating with the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as they formulate the best conservation plans. In addition, we are creating a Collaborative Action Plan to promote and foster partnerships with landowners rangewide. Because so much sagebrush falls on private land, these partnerships are essential to conserve this species and its habitat. We’ve seen great success at the county level, including an 11 county coalition. Our researchers are also working on developing seasonal habitat maps and movement patterns for the Gunnison Basin.
Bird Research
Researching 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.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has conducted research to evaluate seasonal use patterns of Gunnison Sage-grouse in the past but still lacked detailed information on demographics and dispersal patterns within and among populations. Therefore, Colorado Parks and Wildlife initiated this project to determine the impact of landscape features, such as habitat fragmentation, on the movement patterns and demography of Gunnison Sage-grouse.
Researchers focused the study on two different populations: the Gunnison Basin population, which is the largest and most genetically diverse population, and one of the smaller populations that inhabits Montrose and San Miguel Counties (the San Miguel population). Using radiotelemetry, researchers tracked movements, estimated nest success and estimated survival rates of juvenile and adults. Researchers analyzed the data collected using Geographic Information System to develop movement and spatial models. Nest success did not differ between the two populations or in relation to female age, and was not strongly related to vegetation measures at nest sites. Nest success was variable among years, and nests initiated early in a season had higher success than nests initiated later in the season.
There was no juvenile recruitment into the San Miguel population during the study. Annual juvenile recruitment was variable in the Gunnison Basin and declined over the course of the study. Annual and seasonal survival of adults was variable and did not differ between the two populations or between yearlings and older adults.
During the study, the two populations were declining from recent high levels, with the San Miguel population experiencing greater declines than the Gunnison Basin population. Projections of population persistence indicated that the Gunnison Basin population is likely to persist over the long term. The results of this research will help wildlife managers evaluate the relative outcomes of alternative management actions.
Conservation translocations with grouse have yielded mixed results. Since 2000, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has conducted translocations of Gunnison Sage-grouse to the smaller populations. Traditional conservation translocations approaches are usually not sufficient conservation measures to support species like Gunnison Sage-grouse. Conservation practitioners need to consider additional conservation options to initiate proactive conservation efforts including captive-rearing.
Captive-rearing programs have encountered varying challenges. Previous captive-rearing studies have documented mortality from bacterial or fungal infections, vitamin E deficiency, and reticuloendothelial virus. Post-hatch physical irregularities have also been documented. These irregularities may result from a combination of the incubation environment, inadequate nutrition, poor thermoregulation and/or stress from handling. Captive-rearing as a conservation practice has been the subject of many discussions. In an effort to be proactive we provide conservation practitioners better tools to assist in recovery.
Protecting the Gunnison Sage-grouse
More Information:
Physical Characteristics
Color
Mottled gray-brown with a black belly, head and neck.
Males
Males also have white breast feathers that conceal 2 large, skin sacs (used in courtship displays) which are yellow-green in color and yellow eyecombs (obvious in the spring during courtship displays).
Females
Female Gunnison sage-grouse lack the specialized features that males have for courtship displays but generally resemble males in coloration. However, in comparison to males, their throats are buffy with blackish markings and the lower throat and breast are barred which presents a blackish-brown appearance.
Range
Historically, Gunnison Sage-grouse were found throughout the southwestern portion of Colorado and the southeastern Utah and are roughly separated from Greater sage-grouse range by the Colorado River. The populations in Colorado are: Pinion Mesa, Crawford, San Miguel Basin, Gunnison Basin, Dove Creek, Cerro Summit/Cimarron/Sims Mesa, and Poncha Pass. The Utah population is near Monticello.
Habitat
The Gunnison Sage-grouse requires a variety of habitats such as large expanses of sage with a diversity of grasses and forbs and healthy riparian ecosystems. Sagebrush is a critical component for sage-grouse providing both food and cover.
Diet
The Gunnison sage-grouse is very dependent on sagebrush. Sage-grouse have been known to eat leaves (mainly sagebrush), buds, flowers, insects and a variety of forbs. Young chicks remain largely dependent on forbs and insects for food well into early fall since they cannot yet digest sagebrush. As winter approaches, the variety of food sources become unavailable, therefore, throughout the autumn months, sage-grouse become increasingly dependent on sagebrush for nutrients. In winter, sagebrush accounts for 100% of the diet for these birds. In addition, it provides important escape cover and protection from the elements.Leaves (primarily of sagebrush) dominate the diet throughout most of the year and are the principal food from November into April.
Reproduction
Male Gunnison sage-grouse conduct an elaborate display when trying to attract females to breeding grounds, or leks. They will strut, flap their wings against their white pouches and utter a distinctive series of sounds by vocalizing and popping two air sacs within their pouches. Nesting begins in mid-April and continues into July. Females typically lay six to eight eggs, which are incubated for 25 to 27 days.
Threats to Species
- Climate Change and Severe Weather
- Residential and Commercial Development
- Energy Development and Land Use