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Photo: Larry Lamsa / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Endangered

Gunnison Grouse

Centrocercus minimus

Gunnison Grouse (Centrocercus minimus) — Gamebirds of North America.

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The Gunnison Grouse (Centrocercus minimus) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in North America. Adults weigh 1.9 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.

EN Endangered

Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Where it fits

  1. Class Aves
  2. Order Galliformes
  3. Family Phasianidae Pheasants & Allies
  4. Genus Centrocercus
  5. Species minimus

Where it lives

Southwestern Colorado and eastern Utah

Quick facts

Weight
1.9 kg
Family
Phasianidae
Order
Galliformes
Habitat
Woodland

How to identify

Similar birds

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Gunnison Grouse feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.

Behaviour

A bird of open scrub and shrubland, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The Gunnison Grouse is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Gunnison Grouse (Centrocercus minimus) belongs to the Phasianidae family of the order Galliformes. Its range spans North America. Its distribution covers NA sw Colorado and e Utah.

It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 1.9 kg, with a wing length of about 28.5 cm and a tail of around 28.6 cm.

It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 9,683 km² — a relatively restricted global range.

Songs & calls

Gunnison Grouse — Call

Recorded by Andrew Spencer Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Gunnison Grouse?

The Gunnison Grouse is a very large bird that weighs around 1.9 kg.

Where does the Gunnison Grouse live?

The Gunnison Grouse is found across North America with a range covering NA sw Colorado and e Utah, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.

What family does the Gunnison Grouse belong to?

The Gunnison Grouse (Centrocercus minimus) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.

What does the Gunnison Grouse eat?

The Gunnison Grouse feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.

Does the Gunnison Grouse migrate?

The Gunnison Grouse is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

Is the Gunnison Grouse endangered?

It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

What sound does the Gunnison Grouse make?

1 real field recording of the Gunnison 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 Gunnison Grouse's range?

The Gunnison Grouse has a mapped global range of about 9,683 km².

Conservation

Endangered

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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