Greater Sage-Grouse

Greater Sage-Grouse
Photo Credit: Jeannie Stafford, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Overview

  • Species Common Name Greater Sage-Grouse
  • Species Scientific Name Centrocercus urophasianus
  • Federal Listing Status Species of Concern
  • State Listing Status Sensitive

Ecoregions

Special needs

Greater Sage-Grouse require expansive sagebrush habitat that encompasses a mosaic of conditions. They use wet meadows and playas during brood-rearing, especially areas with native forbs.

Limiting factors

Greater Sage-Grouse have experienced declines and local extirpations in Oregon. Habitat loss and fragmentation, juniper expansion into sagebrush, and impacts of increased fire frequency and intensity on sagebrush due to invasive annual plants have contributed to declines. This species is dependent upon adequate sagebrush habitat, including suitable lek sites, for successful breeding and year-round survival. Greater Sage-Grouse are sensitive to human disturbance at leks.

Conservation actions

See the detailed presentation in the Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Assessment and Conservation Strategy for Oregon (Hagen 2011).

Key reference or plan

ODFW Wildlife: Greater Sage-Grouse BLM: Sagebrush Ecosystem Sage-Grouse Conservation Partnership (SageCON).