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The Greater Prairie Chicken or pinnated grouse (Tympanuchus cupido), sometimes called a boomer, is a large bird in the grouse family. This North American species was once abundant, but has become extremely rare and extirpated over much of its range due to habitat loss. Conservation measures are underway to ensure the sustainability of existing small populations. One of the most famous aspects of these creatures is the mating ritual called booming.

Adult males have orange comb-like feathers over their eyes and dark, elongated head feathers that can be raised or lain along neck. They also possess a circular orange, un-feathered neck patch which can be inflated while displaying and booming.

 Because of these two features, endangered species and colorful mating rituals, after visiting the Rowe Sanctuary in Nebraska for the Sandhill Crane migration (see ComingsBirds.com/Sandhillcranesneb) we headed for Wray Colorado, home of one of the most famous and accessible Greater Prairie Chicken leks (mating grounds).

There are two folders in this sub-web site: Greater Prairie Chicken Photos and Greater Prairie Chicken videos.