Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Sharp-tailed Grouse
Tympanuchus phasianellus
Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) — Gamebirds of North America.
Found across 17 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in North America. Adults weigh 882 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Galliformes
- Family Phasianidae Pheasants & Allies
- Genus Tympanuchus
- Species phasianellus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 882 g
- Diet
- Plant-eaters
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Sharp-tailed Grouse feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Sharp-tailed Grouse is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) is a member of the Phasianidae family, within the order Galliformes. Its range spans North America. Its distribution covers NA nc, nw.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 882 g, with a wing length of about 20.1 cm and a tail of around 10.3 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 6.1 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Sharp-tailed Grouse?
The Sharp-tailed Grouse is a large bird that weighs around 882 g.
Where does the Sharp-tailed Grouse live?
The Sharp-tailed Grouse is found across North America with a range covering NA nc, nw, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Sharp-tailed Grouse belong to?
The Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Sharp-tailed Grouse eat?
The Sharp-tailed Grouse feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.
Does the Sharp-tailed Grouse migrate?
The Sharp-tailed Grouse is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Sharp-tailed Grouse endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Sharp-tailed Grouse make?
1 real field recording of the Sharp-tailed Grouse — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Sharp-tailed Grouse's range?
The Sharp-tailed Grouse has a mapped global range of about 6.1 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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