Though most conspicuous during the spring breeding season, two Oklahoma look-alike grouse, the greater and lesser prairie-chickens, can be found in the state year-round. Despite their similar, cryptic appearance, a wild double take of their patterning and habitat can help differentiate the species. 

Find tips for identifying Oklahoma’s look-alike species in our video series on YouTube.

Similarities: These look-alike grouse are stocky, heavily barred, and wary birds. Each spring, prairie-chickens flock to their traditional mating grounds, often referred to as “leks,” where males stomp, spar, and cackle to defend territories and attract the attention of potential mates. During their display, males will inflate large air sacs located on the side of the neck and raise their pinnate feathers, or “ears.” After mating, the females leave the lek to nest and raise broods. The young break away from the hens within two to three months and the birds later regroup and form winter flocks. Greater and lesser prairie-chickens eat insects and seeds and need large tracts of relatively undisturbed prairie to thrive. Considered “species of greatest conservation need” and “game birds,” both prairie-chicken species have a closed season.

Differences: Greater and lesser prairie-chickens may be similar in appearance but there is a noticeable gap in the birds’ range and habitats. Because of this, the geographic location of a prairie-chicken sighting is one of the best indicators for identification. The slightly larger greater prairie-chicken is found in Oklahoma’s more eastern tallgrass prairies and the federally threatened lesser prairie-chicken occurs in the state’s more western mixed-grass and shortgrass prairies. The feathers of the greater prairie-chicken tend to be more heavily barred and rich in color, while the bars on the lesser prairie-chicken’s feathers tend to be thinner and lighter in color. Another indicator can be seen on the booming ground: the air sacs that inflate during the mating ritual of male greater prairie-chickens tend to be orange while those of male lesser prairie-chickens are more reddish orange. 

If you see prairie-chickens while exploring Outdoor Oklahoma, consider sharing the sighting on free nature platforms like eBird and iNaturalist. Adding a photo to your observation can allow others to help confirm the identification.