Tympanuchus pallidicinctus Linnaeus, 1758
Text, map and photo from Storch I. (2000) : Grouse Action Plan 2000-2004, reproduced here with the Editor's agreement
Common
names:
Lesser prairie
chicken
English
Tétras
pâle
French
Gallo de las
praderas chico
Spanish
Photo by Kansas Department
of Wildlife and Parks
Conservation Status
IUCN 1996: Lower risk
(least concern).
CITES 1998: not listed in Appendices.
National red data books: listed in some states of the USA; federal
listing as a 'threatened' or 'endangered' species currently under
consideration.
Taxonomy
Monotypic; no subspecies recognised.
Lesser and Greater prairie chicken are easily confused. Greater prairie chickens are slightly larger and appear uniformly dark on the back whereas lesser prairie chickens have fine barring on the back. Also, the air sacs of the greater prairie chicken are golden-yellow whereas those of the lesser prairie chicken are red-orange. Lesser prairie chickens have finer barring on the breast.
Distribution
Originally found in southwestern portions of the Great Plains in southeastern Colorado, southwestern Kansas, western Oklahoma, northern Texas, and eastern New Mexico. The species may have responded positively to initial increases in agriculture by expanding northward to southern Nebraska and perhaps also eastward to western Missouri. Currently, the range is restricted to relatively small and scattered portions totaling about 8% (see enclosed ms. by Jensen, Robinson, and Applegate) of the original range. In North America, the lesser prairie chicken has the smallest population size and most restricted distribution of all the grouse species (see Giesen 1998).
Population size and trend
Historically, the lesser prairie chicken increased temporarily with the advent of agriculture. Since the 1800's the population size may have declined by about 97%. However, there were no surveys until the mid 20th century and during at least the first half of the 19th century the lesser and greater prairie chickens were considered the same species. Historical observations do not even distinguish between these and sharp-tailed grouse (R. Applegate, pers. comm.). Therefore, the extent of the early decline is uncertain.
Since 1963, the species has declined by 78%. Most evidence indicates that the declines are continuing based on current lek surveys, however in some areas, there have been increases in the past 2 years (R. Applegate, M. Schroeder, pers. comm.). Spring densities of displaying males vary greatly between years and range from 0.2 to 11.8 males/km_ in various areas. Total population size has been crudely estimated between 10,000 and 25,000 birds (K. Giesen, pers. comm); the current size of the overall breeding population may be less than 10,000 individuals (M. Schroeder pers. comm.), but actual numbers remain unknown. Most populations are less than 1,000 birds in size.
Habitat and ecology
Lesser prairie chickens were originally inhabitants of the southern Great Plains which were dominated by mid grass prairie mixed with shinnery oak (Quercus havardii) or sand sagebrush (Artemisia filifolia). At present, the species is most common in sandy dwarf shrub-mixed grass vegetation, sometimes interspersed with short grass habitats. Densities are believed to be generally higher in shinnery oak than in sand sagebrush habitats. Although lesser prairie chickens may use scattered areas of cropland, the overall effect of conversion of prairie to cropland is negative. Leks are mostly located in sparse vegetation and in elevated locations such as knolls or ridges. In winter, the birds make more use of small-scale agricultural fields. Lesser prairie chickens feed on insects, seeds, leaves, buds, and cultivated grains. In winter, acorns are a major food item in shinnery oak region. Some movements of up to approx. 10km may occur between seasonal habitats (see Giesen 1998).
Hunting and cultural importance
Lesser prairie chickens were a game species for Native Americans and the Europeans that followed them, but their influence on the population was probably low. Market hunting and poaching may have had dramatic impacts on some populations during the 1800's and early 1900's. The first legislation to regulate hunting was passed in 1861 in Kansas. Hunting seasons were closed in Colorado in the early 1900s, and in the other states for various periods in response to population trends. At present, limited hunting is allowed in Kansas and Texas; the total annual hunting bag has been estimated as <1,000 birds. In general, the effects of hunting on population dynamics are believed to be low. Lesser prairie chickens currently are receiving more attention from naturalists and bird-watchers as more people learn to appreciate the spectacular breeding display of birds on leks (gobbling grounds).
Principal threats
Habitat loss and degradation. The lesser prairie chicken has declined primarily because of loss fragmentation, and degradation of sand sagebrush and shinnery oak rangelands due to agriculture. Large-scale conversion of prairie to cropland has resulted in the dramatic loss of lesser prairie chickens throughout most of their original range. Degradation due to overgrazing by livestock has reduced the quality of most remaining prairie habitats; reduction in habitat quality may reduce survival and nesting and brood-rearing success. Also, oil and natural gas development have possible implications (R. Applegate, pers. comm.)
Small population size. Small isolated populations may be vulnerable to declines in genetic heterogeneity and fertility, leading to extinction (see 2.6.2; Westemeier 1998).
Pesticides and herbicides. Pesticides may directly poison birds or indirectly affect birds by reducing the abundance of invertebrates. Herbicide treatment of rangeland may result in the loss of cover for nesting, brood-rearing, and loafing. This is especially true of sagebrush or shinnery oak control programs.
Research needs
Monitoring and assessment. Inventory methods rely on counts of males at the lek. Existing lek survey method measure population trends but do not provide a size or density estimate. For estimating population size and trends the proportion of males attending leks and the sex ratio in spring need to be better understood. Information on sex ratio, lek attendance by males and females, and lek stability is needed so that lek surveys can be used adequately to monitor populations of lesser prairie chickens throughout their range.
Population dynamics. The influence of habitat and predation on adult survival, nest success, and survival of juveniles to the age of recruitment remain a poorly understood aspect of lesser prairie chicken life history. As populations are becoming increasingly fragmented, information is needed on genetic variability, dispersal, minimum viable population size, minimum habitat patch size, and metapopulation dynamics in relation to the spatial distribution of suitable habitats. Additional research needs to include the impact of harvesting on population dynamics and viability.
Habitat management and restoration. Understanding the effects of various land use practices (such as grazing, burning, cultivation, etc.) is vital for habitat preservation and restoration for the lesser prairie chicken. Applied experiments are rarely conducted to evaluate the long-term impacts of management practices on populations of lesser prairie chickens. The information necessary to restore degraded habitats is largely unavailable.
Current conservation measures
Legal protection. Lesser prairie chickens are legally protected throughout their range. The only states permitting a regulated harvest are Kansas and Texas. The species is currently under consideration for federal (USA) listing as 'threatened' or 'endangered'.
Monitoring. Generally, two indices are used to assess population trends: numbers of lekking males and the number of leks; both show great annual and geographic variation.
Habitat improvement. Manipulation of grazing by livestock is the primary tool used to improve the quality of habitat. Because nesting and brood-rearing habitat are usually considered to be a limiting factor, most efforts are directed toward increasing the protective cover of grasses. The CRP (see 2.7.4) has resulted in conversion of thousands of hectares of cropland to potential habitat for lesser prairie chickens, with mixed success. CRP plantings vary in composition and density of grasses, and thus in habitat suitability for lesser praire chickens, from one area to another. For example, in Oklahoma, they are predominately bermuda grass whereas in Kansas they are comprised of native short and mixed grasses (R. Applegate, pers. comm.).
Reintroduction. Reintroduction or restocking by transplantations of lesser prairie chickens trapped in the wild have been tried at least 12 times, but all failed. The lack of adequate habitat at the release site appeared to be the primary explanation (M. Schroeder pers. comm).
Food and water provision. Provision of extra food and water have not been shown to influence populations on a large scale.
Priority conservation measures
Conservation plans. Conservation plans for each population of lesser prairie chickens should be designed with the aid of public and private landowners and interested citizens. The conservation plans should include appropriate recommendations for habitat management, restoration, configuration, and acquisition in order to maintain long-term population viability, and all this should be done quickly. [Such plans should follow the guidance in the LPC Conservation Strategy.]
Habitat preservation and restoration. Nesting habitat needs to be improved through better management of livestock grazing and restoration of native rangelands. There is a need for both protection and active management of occupied habitats and restoration of habitat corridors between isolated populations. Because most lesser prairie chickens occur on private lands there should be an incentive programme for landowners to protect and maintain populations on their lands.
Monitoring. Intensive population monitoring is necessary to identify population sinks and to locate isolated populations facing genetic bottlenecks.
Correspondents
Roger Applegate, Rick Baydack, Kenneth Giesen, Mike Schroeder
Key publication
Giesen, K. M. 1998. Lesser prairie chicken. The birds of North America, No. 364. The birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.