The lesser prairie-chicken is a medium-sized grouse species found in the grasslands of the Great Plains in North America. Their range extends across parts of New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Though once abundant, the lesser prairie-chicken has experienced significant population declines in recent decades due to habitat loss and degradation. As a result, seeing these birds in the wild has become increasingly difficult. However, there are still a few key areas where lesser prairie-chickens can be reliably observed if you know where to look. In this article, we will explore the best locations to catch a glimpse of these iconic grassland birds.
Background on the Lesser Prairie-Chicken
The lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) is a species of prairie grouse known for its colorful breeding displays on traditional lek sites. They are slightly smaller and paler in color than their greater prairie-chicken cousins. Lesser prairie-chickens inhabit shortgrass and midgrass prairies dominated by grasses, shrubs, and scattered trees. They prefer areas with a mix of native grasses, forbs, and shrubs. These birds feed on leaves, buds, seeds, cultivated grains, and insects.
Lesser prairie-chicken numbers have declined by an estimated 90% since European settlement. The loss and fragmentation of their native prairie habitat have been the primary drivers of this decrease. Their breeding range has contracted significantly and become fractured. As a result, they have been listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act since 2014. Remaining populations are small and isolated. Seeing these rare birds in the wild has become challenging for birdwatchers and conservationists.
When to Look for Lesser Prairie-Chickens
The best time to search for lesser prairie-chickens is during their breeding season, which peaks in March, April, and May. This is when males gather at dawn and dusk on booming grounds known as leks to perform elaborate courtship displays for females. They inflate bright yellow air sacs on their neck, raise their feathers, stamp their feet, and give loud hooting calls. Multiple males display in competition for breeding rights at traditional lek sites that are reused year after year.
Females visit the leks briefly to select a mate before leaving to build a nest and raise a clutch on their own. Early morning and late afternoon are prime viewing times to spot displaying males and the occasional visiting female. Though lesser prairie-chickens may be seen throughout the day feeding or moving between habitat patches during the breeding season, they are most conspicuous and numerous on the leks at dawn and dusk.
Where to Find Displaying Lesser Prairie-Chickens
Here are some of the top locations in the remaining range of the lesser prairie-chicken to catch their spectacular breeding displays:
Southwestern Kansas
Southwestern Kansas contains some of the strongest lesser prairie-chicken populations left, though numbers have declined from historical levels. The counties of Greeley, Hamilton, Kearny, and Finney host multiple lek sites on ranches, nature conservancies, and public lands. Contact local wildlife managers or guides for directions to accessible leks in this region. Be sure to follow guidelines that minimize disturbance to these sensitive habitats and birds.
Some specific sites include:
– Cimarron National Grassland
– Comanche National Grassland
– Rathert Ranch near Kinsley
– Smoky Valley Ranch near Sharon Springs
Western Oklahoma
The panhandle of northwestern Oklahoma has long provided habitat for lesser prairie-chickens. Though declining here as well, birds can still be observed on leks in the Rita Blanca National Grassland and surrounding private ranch lands. The counties of Harper, Ellis, Woodward, and Beaver contain the strongest remaining concentrations of birds in the state.
Specific locations include:
– Rita Blanca National Grassland
– Beaver River Wildlife Management Area
– Cooper Wildlife Management Area
Northeastern New Mexico
Lesser prairie-chickens inhabit scattered parcels of prairie in northeastern New Mexico, with prime viewing areas in Union, Harding, and Quay Counties. The Nature Conservancy’s Milnesand Prairie Preserve and the Bradford Ranch both maintain conservation leks. Access to private ranch leks may be possible with landowner permission.
Key sites include:
– Milnesand Prairie Preserve
– Bradford Ranch
– Candy Kitchen Ranch
Southeastern Colorado
Remnant flocks survive in the prairies of southeastern Colorado, mainly in Baca, Prowers, and Kiowa Counties. Pricacy concerns limit public viewing access, but private ranchers and conservation programs coordinate counts and habitat management here. Contact the Colorado Division of Wildlife for any possible guided tour opportunities.
Areas to check include:
– Comanche National Grassland
– Playa mitigation sites
– Private ranchlands
Texas Panhandle
While lesser prairie-chicken populations have declined severely in Texas, some of the last known leks occur in the northeast panhandle around Hemphill and Lipscomb Counties. These include sites on the Texas Parks & Wildlife Laverne Management Area and private ranches. Inquire with Texas Parks & Wildlife about any limited blind tours that may be available in early spring.
Top spots are:
– Laverne Wildlife Management Area
– Guzman Prairie Preserve
– Private ranchlands
Tips for Viewing Lesser Prairie-Chickens
Here are some tips for maximizing your lesser prairie-chicken viewing opportunities while minimizing disturbance:
– Obtain locations and access permission to verified lek sites in advance. Do not trespass on private lands.
– Arrive before dawn or after mid-afternoon to witness peak activity. Sit quietly in a blind or vehicle and wait patiently.
– Use binoculars or spotting scopes rather than getting too close. Stay at least 100 yards away from leks.
– Wear muted earth-tone colors like camouflage to blend into the landscape. Avoid bright whites and blues.
– Do not flush birds from the lek or disrupt their displays. Never play audio recordings of their vocalizations.
– Be respectful of these sensitive habitats and breeding behaviors. Follow guidelines from land managers and wildlife agencies.
– Avoid visiting a lek for consecutive days. Come at most 1-2 times per season and spend just 1-2 hours to limit disturbance.
Conservation Importance
Spotting a lesser prairie-chicken in its full breeding splendor is a special treat for bird enthusiasts as well as an important indicator of the health of our fragile native grasslands. Their decline signals wider losses of biodiversity and habitat across their range. Ethical wildlife viewing that avoids undue disturbance, coupled with habitat protection and restoration, are key to supporting these struggling populations.
If the opportunity arises, take a moment to admire the odd grace of these rare birds carrying on their elaborate mating rituals against the vast backdrop of the Great Plains. But do so respectfully and with care not to intrude on this disappearing wildlife spectacle our human impacts have left hanging by just a slender prairie thread.
Conclusions
In conclusion, the best places left to reliably see displaying lesser prairie-chickens in their fragile remaining breeding grounds are scattered across parts of southwestern Kansas, northwestern Oklahoma, northeastern New Mexico, southeastern Colorado, and the Texas panhandle. With populations declining precipitously, it takes persistence and proper timing to catch them performing their spring mating rituals on booming grounds known as leks. Scout access to active leks on public and private conservation lands in advance and follow guidelines to minimize disturbance. Their conservation depends in part on responsible appreciative viewers as well as efforts to preserve native prairie habitat across the Great Plains. Catching a glimpse of lesser prairie-chickens in the wild remains an evocative reminder of what we stand to lose if these fragile enviros recover.
