Wildlife habitat on rangelands is one of the most pressing conservation issues in western North America. Nearly all western upland gamebird species rely on rangeland habitats. USU Extension's Rangeland-Wildlife Habitat Lab focuses on providing the best available scientific information concerning the assessment of management and conservation practices for these species, especially our native grouse species.
Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus)
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Found in Utah and other western states and provinces
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Obligates to sagebrush ecosystems
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Require vast expanses of contiguous sagebrush habitat
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Are the largest grouse species in North America
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High conservation concern, but not currently listed under the Endangered Species Act (1973)
Gunnison Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus minimus)
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Only found in Colorado and Utah
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Determined to be a separate species from greater sage-grouse in 2000
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Distinct breeding display by males and one-third smaller than the greater sage-grouse
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sagebrush ecosystem obligate
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In 2014, listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (1973)