Prairie Chickens on the "Booming Grounds"

We are fortunate that many rituals reoccur each spring in Wisconsin. One such reoccurrence is the breeding season display of the greater prairie chicken. A native grouse that was once found in every Wisconsin county, the prairie chicken now occurs only in the open grasslands of the central part of the state. The males gather together each April on traditional "booming grounds" to defend territories, attract females, and perpetuate their species.

Early in the season, the males fight for a territory, a relatively small area with short vegetation or no vegetation at all. On this established territory, they perform their mating ritual. The males display their feathers and their orange eyebrows, inflate their air sacs, snap their tail feathers, and make a three-note "booming" sound. In the meantime, the females wander the booming grounds, and choose a mate. Mating occurs and the females leave the booming grounds to begin nesting. Hens lay an average of twelve eggs and spend 23 to 25 days incubating them until they hatch.

A survey of displaying male "chickens" on these boominggrounds is conducted each April. Many individuals participate in this survey, and the results are a reflection of the health of the population. The April 2000 survey recorded 749 male prairie chickens in the state - throughout portions of six counties. This is a far cry from the huge populations of 100 years ago. But, as long as people care, the prairie chicken has a secure spot within the Wisconsin landscape.

You can be an observer at a select prairie chicken booming ground. Should you desire to participate in this early morning adventure, you can reserve a spot in an observation blind by calling: (715) 346-3259 (B.O.W.-Becoming an Outdoors-Woman). The data you record will become part of our statewide survey, and you will be witness to an entirely unique natural event.

For more information on this topic, send mail to: Assistant Upland Ecologist

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