Sharp-tailed grouse will be released in western Iowa again this spring as part of a long-range plan to establish them in their former range where they co-existed with prairie chickens and bison. 

Both Sharp-tailed grouse and prairie chickens (prairie grouse) were present in great numbers when the first settlers arrived in western Iowa.  They provided a valuable food source until by the early 1900’s, their numbers declined as a result of market hunting and habitat loss.  Agricultural development and an eastern market for “prairie grouse” caused near decimation of the population by the 1940’s.

In the late 1970’s, interest developed in restoring both species to western Iowa.  Wild-trapped prairie chickens were obtained from Kansas and released in the loess hills in 1980 and 1982.  The releases failed to establish prairie chickens in their former range.  After two unsuccessful prairie chicken releases,  it was determined that sharp-tailed grouse would be a better candidate for restoration.  Their behavior and habitat requirements are better adapted to the mix of grassland, brush and agricultural land in western Iowa.  CRP acres enrolled in the late 1980’s placed more and more acres in permanent grassland, increasing the likely survival of the sharp-tailed grouse in western Iowa. 

In 1990, 19 sharp-tailed grouse were obtained from South Dakota and released in the loess hills.  The birds scattered widely, and by the second year following release, they had vanished.  A second attempt involved the release of 150 birds in 1995 and 1996.  Birds from the second release have survived through 2000, with documented reproduction, and establishment of a traditional display area.  With apparent success in establishing a small breeding population, 100 more birds were received from south Dakota this winter in order to bolster the number of birds and genetic diversity of the restored population. 
Birds obtained from South Dakota are being held in pens until they become reproductively active.  Releases will be made in April on a site where birds in the newly restored population have established a dancing ground where males create a ritualistic noisy dance in an attempt to attract females for mating.  With the release of birds this spring, it is hoped that the population will increase in size and begin to colonize in other areas of western Iowa.

Spring Behavior of Sharp-tailed Grouse
For several months during the spring, male sharptails gather on dancing grounds for complex and ritualistic displays to attract hens for mating.  The rapid, high-pitched cackling of the females, as they approach the grounds, is countered with leaps into the air by the males to advertise their exact location.  Displaying cocks not only attract females, but maintain individual territories on the dancing grounds.  One of the most remarkable displays is their “tail-rattling” behavior.  With neck extended, tail erect and wings held out from the body, the male begins his dance by rapidly stamping his feed.  While dancing, either in place or on headlong runs, he produces a loud series of clicks with his tail feathers.  At the height of the “cooing” display, males inflate their purple-tinged air sacs while bowing to utter throaty calls.  At the termination of that display, air acs deflate and the bird often assumes an alert posture.  Aerial battles sometimes result from territorial disputes, but more often they are simply ritualized fights or posturing where males attempt  intimidate each other.  By the end of June, only tracks mark the site of this remarkable phenomenon  This showy ritualized display is an integral part of sharp-tailed grouse biology. 

For additional information about the Wildlife Bureau's Sharp-tailed grouse restoration effort contact Ed Weiner at (712) 423-2426.

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