Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/larry1732/ / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Lesser Prairie Chicken
Tympanuchus pallidicinctus
Lesser Prairie Chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) — Gamebirds of North America.
Found across 12 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Lesser Prairie Chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in North America. Adults weigh 746 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Galliformes
- Family Phasianidae Pheasants & Allies
- Genus Tympanuchus
- Species pallidicinctus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 746 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Lesser Prairie Chicken is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Lesser Prairie Chicken is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Lesser Prairie Chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) belongs to the Phasianidae family of the order Galliformes. It occurs naturally across North America. Its distribution covers NA c USA.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 746 g, with a wing length of about 20.5 cm and a tail of around 13.8 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 63,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Lesser Prairie Chicken?
The Lesser Prairie Chicken is a large bird that weighs around 746 g.
Where does the Lesser Prairie Chicken live?
The Lesser Prairie Chicken is found across North America with a range covering NA c USA, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Lesser Prairie Chicken belong to?
The Lesser Prairie Chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Lesser Prairie Chicken eat?
The Lesser Prairie Chicken is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Lesser Prairie Chicken migrate?
The Lesser Prairie Chicken is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Lesser Prairie Chicken endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the Lesser Prairie Chicken make?
1 real field recording of the Lesser Prairie Chicken — 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 Lesser Prairie Chicken's range?
The Lesser Prairie Chicken has a mapped global range of about 63,000 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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