How to identify it
Smaller than the greater sage-grouse. [1]
More obvious pale bars on the tail feathers and a longer plume on the back of the head. [1]
Displaying males puff out a white chest and inflate yellow air sacs; males slightly larger than females. [1]
Compared with the greater sage-grouse: Greater is larger, with a different display and fainter tail bars; the ranges do not overlap. [1]
Species it is confused with
Check these before deciding what you are looking at. If you are not certain what it is, do not shoot.
- Greater sage-grouse · Centrocercus urophasianus
Field notes
- Safety Sage-grouse seasons, where they exist, are set for greater sage-grouse in specific areas. Check the responsible authority's map and species before hunting near the Gunnison range, and if you are not certain which species you are looking at, do not shoot.[1]
- Identification Do not identify Gunnison sage-grouse from colour alone. Compare structure, size, range and the listed similar species before making a field decision.[1]
Where it lives
Sagebrush plains and high valleys; nesting habitat includes lower wet areas where young forage for insects. [1]
How it behaves
Displaying male gives 9–10 low hooting gobbles with wing sounds, very different from the greater sage-grouse display. [1]
Fall and winter diet may be almost entirely sagebrush leaves and shoots; also flowers, buds and summer insects. [1]
Not a quarry species
North Ground does not treat this species as quarry: it is published so it can be told apart from the game species it resembles, and Hunt never offers it. If you are not certain what it is, do not shoot.
Conservation and protection
- THREATENED — Listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act by the 2014 final rule. · Threatened Status for Gunnison Sage-Grouse (79 FR 69192)
- CLOSED_TO_TAKE — Colorado sets no season and no bag limit for Gunnison sage-grouse. · 2 CCR 406-3 Chapter W-3 Furbearers and Small Game
- THREATENED — The gunnison sage-grouse, wherever found: listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act since 2014-12-22. · ECOS species profile: Gunnison Sage-grouse
Where it is found
Year-round resident of southwestern Colorado and adjacent Utah only; gone from about 90 percent of its former range.
Sources
Every claim above is attributed to one of these published sources.
National Audubon Society · reviewed 2026-09-30
National Audubon Society