Several species of grouse occupy prairie and sagebrush habitat across the western United States. Sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus), greater prairie chicken (Tympanuchus cupido), and lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) reside in the grassland prairies of the Great Plains. In the Intermountain West, greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) and Gunnison sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus) inhabit the expansive sagebrush plains (Johnsgard 2008). During the mating season, male grouse perform elaborate courtship displays in communal breeding areas known as leks. These areas are often used each year and tend to be large, open patches of land with minimal vegetation, offering greater visibility for males (Connelly et al. 2011). Female grouse create nests on the ground under sagebrush or within clumps of grass. Females can lay between 5 and 15 eggs depending on the species. Once hatched, chicks consume mostly insects, but shift their diets to primarily eat vegetation as they become adults (www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/). These grouse species require extensive, intact native habitats to complete their life cycle (Pruett et al. 2009a; Rowland et al. 2006; Sandercock et al. 2011; Wisdom et al. 2011). Given the close connection between grouse and their habitat, they are considered indicator species, or species whose presence indicates ecosystem health (Carlisle et al. 2018; Rowland et al. 2006).
Disturbance and alteration of habitat can result in abandonment of breeding and nesting grounds or delayed reproduction. Multiple stressors on grouse have resulted in population declines across their range. Stressors include conversion of natural habitat, climate change, spread of invasive species, and land use change including energy development (Garton et al. 2011; Hovick et al. 2014; LeBeau et al. 2020a; Schroeder et al. 2000; Wilsey et al. 2019).
In 2014, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the Gunnison sage-grouse as threatened, and in 2022, the agency listed the southern distinct population segment and the northern Male greater sage-grouse displaying at a lek (gathering of males) in Wyoming. Photo from LuRay Parker, Wyoming Game and Fish, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) 20649 Grouse and Land-Based Wind Energy Development in the United States | 2 distinct population segment of the lesser prairie-chicken as endangered and threatened, respectively. Conservation status for each species varies from state to state. In addition, several species of grouse are listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species.
View Grouse and Land-Based Wind Energy Development in the United States here.
The table below contains the literature relevant to this summary document and will continue to be updated as new literature is added to Tethys.
| Title | Author | Date Sort ascending | Content Type | Technology | Stressor | Receptor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trends in greater sage-grouse lek counts relative to existing wind energy development in Wyoming | Smith, K., LeBeau, C., Hoskovec, L., Beck, J. | Journal Article | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Displacement | Birds, Ground-Nesting Birds | |
| Assessing the Use of Long-Term Lek Survey Data to Evaluate the Effect of Landscape Characteristics and Wind Facilities on Sharp Tailed Grouse Lek Dynamics in North Dakota and South Dakota | Shaffer, J., Buhl, D., Newton, W. | Report | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Avoidance, Habitat Change | Birds | |
| Lesser prairie-chicken habitat selection and survival relative to a wind energy facility located in a fragmented landscape | LeBeau, C., Smith, K., Kosciuch, K. | Journal Article | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Habitat Change | Birds, Ground-Nesting Birds | |
| Prairie grouse and wind energy: The state of the science and implications for risk assessment | Lloyd, J., Aldridge, C., Allison, T., LeBeau, C., McNew, L., Winder, V. | Journal Article | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Habitat Change | Birds, Ground-Nesting Birds | |
| Columbian sharp-tailed grouse brood success and chick survival in a wind-energy landscape | Proett, M., Roberts, S., Messmer, T. | Journal Article | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Attraction, Avoidance, Collision, Displacement | Birds | |
| Virtual Forum on Prairie Grouse and Wind Energy: 2021 Synthesis | American Wind Wildlife Institute (AWWI) | Report | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Birds, Ground-Nesting Birds | ||
| Capercaillie and Wind Energy: An international research project | Taubmann, J., Coppes, J., Andrén, H. | Report | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Collision, Habitat Change, Noise | Birds, Ground-Nesting Birds | |
| Wind energy facilities affect resource selection of capercaillie Tetrao urogallus | Taubmann, J., Kämmerle, J., Andrén, H., Braunisch, V., Storch, I., Fiedler, W., Suchant, R., Coppes, J. | Journal Article | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Displacement, Noise | Birds, Ground-Nesting Birds | |
| Greater Sage‐Grouse Response to the Physical Footprint of Energy Development | Kirol, C., Smith, K., Graf, N., Dinkins, J., LeBeau, C., Maechtle, T., Sutphin, A., Beck, J. | Journal Article | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Displacement, Habitat Change | Birds, Ground-Nesting Birds | |
| Wind, sun, and wildlife: do wind and solar energy development "short-circuit" conservation in the western United States? | Agha, M., Lovich, J., Ennen, J., Todd, B. | Journal Article | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Birds, Ground-Nesting Birds | ||
| Consistent effects of wind turbines on habitat selection of capercaillie across Europe | Coppes, J., Kämmerle, J., Grunschachner-Berger, V., Braunisch, V., Bollmann, K., Mollet, P., Suchant, R., Nopp-Mayr, U. | Journal Article | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Avoidance, Displacement, Habitat Change | Birds, Ground-Nesting Birds | |
| Behavioral Response of Grouse to Wind Energy Turbines: A Quantitative Review of Survival, Habitat Selection, and Lek Attendance | LeBeau, C., Howlin, S., Tredennick, A., Kosciuch, K. | Report | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Habitat Change | Birds, Ground-Nesting Birds | |
| Persistence and spatial distribution of Black Grouse in east Alpine wind farms: a contribution to the "wind power versus black grouse protection" debate in Austria | Brunner, H., Friedel, T. | Journal Article | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Displacement | Birds, Ground-Nesting Birds | |
| The impact of wind energy facilities on grouse: a systematic review | Coppes, J., Braunisch, V., Bollmann, K., Storch, I., Mollet, P., Grunschachner-Berger, V., Taubmann, J., Suchant, R., Nopp-Mayr, U. | Journal Article | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Avoidance, Collision, Displacement | Birds, Ground-Nesting Birds | |
| Columbian sharp‐tailed grouse nesting ecology: wind energy and habitat | Proett, M., Roberts, S., Horne, J., Koons, D., Messmer, T. | Journal Article | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Habitat Change | Birds, Ground-Nesting Birds | |
| Male Greater Prairie-Chickens Adjust their Vocalizations in the Presence of Wind Turbine Noise | Whalen, C., Brown, M., McGee, J., Powell, L., Walsh, E. | Journal Article | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Noise | Ground-Nesting Birds, Birds | |
| Greater Sage-Grouse: Overview and Effects of Wind Energy Development | National Wind Coordinating Collaborative | Report | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Birds | ||
| Predation risk: a potential mechanism for effects of a wind energy facility on Greater Prairie-Chicken survival | Smith, J., Brown, M., Harrison, J., Powell, L. | Journal Article | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Birds, Ground-Nesting Birds | ||
| Modeling the spatial effects of disturbance: a constructive critique to provide evidence of ecological thresholds | Powell, L., Brown, M., Smith, A., Harrison, J., Whalen, C. | Journal Article | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Avoidance | Birds, Ground-Nesting Birds | |
| The Influence of Wind Energy Development on Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) Breeding Season Ecology in Eastern Idaho | Proett, M. | Thesis | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Habitat Change | Birds, Ground-Nesting Birds | |
| Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Selection, Survival, and Wind Energy Infrastructure | LeBeau, C., Johnson, G., Holloran, M., Beck, J., Nielson, R., Kauffman, M., Rodemaker, E., McDonald, T. | Journal Article | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Habitat Change | Ground-Nesting Birds, Birds | |
| Greater sage‐grouse male lek counts relative to a wind energy development | LeBeau, C., Beck, J., Johnson, G., Nielson, R., Holloran, M., Gerow, K., McDonald, T. | Journal Article | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Habitat Change | Ground-Nesting Birds, Birds | |
| Indirect Effects of an Existing Wind Energy Facility on Lekking Behavior of Greater Prairie-Chickens | Smith, J., Whalen, C., Brown, M., Powell, L., Ebensperger, L. | Journal Article | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Birds, Ground-Nesting Birds | ||
| Effects of a Wind Energy Development on Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Selection and Population Demographics in Southeastern Wyoming | LeBeau, C., Johnson, G., Holloran, M., Beck, J., Nielson, R., Kauffman, M., Rodemaker, E., McDonald, T. | Report | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Ground-Nesting Birds, Birds | ||
| Post-Construction Avian and Bat Fatality at the Horse Butte Wind Facility, Years 1–3 | SWCA Environmental Consultants | Report | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Collision | Bats, Birds | |
| Sage grouse war tests limits of partnership in West | Lavelle, M. | Journal Article | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Habitat Change | Birds, Ground-Nesting Birds, Human Dimensions, Legal & Policy | |
| Responses of Male Greater Prairie-Chickens to Wind Energy Development | Winder, V., Gregory, A., McNew, L., Sandercock, B. | Journal Article | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Birds | ||
| Recommendations for distances of wind turbines to important areas for birds as well as breeding sites of selected bird species | Working Group of German State Bird Conservancies | Journal Article | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Birds | ||
| Analysis of the Overlap between Priority Greater Sage-Grouse Habitats and Existing and Potential Energy Development Across the West: Final Report | LeBeau, C., Fruhwirth, J., Boehrs, J. | Report | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Habitat Change | Birds, Ground-Nesting Birds | |
| Evidence of Negative Effects of Anthropogenic Structures on Wildlife: A Review of Grouse Survival and Behaviour | Hovick, T., Elmore, R., Dahlgren, D., Fuhlendorf, S., Engle, D. | Journal Article | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Habitat Change | Birds | |
| Short-Term Impacts of Wind Energy Development on Greater Sage-Grouse Fitness | LeBeau, C., Beck, J., Johnson, G., Holloran, M. | Journal Article | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Habitat Change | Birds | |
| Effects of Wind Energy Development on Nesting Ecology of Greater Prairie-Chickens in Fragmented Grasslands | McNew, L., Hunt, L., Gregory, A., Wisely, S., Sandercock, B. | Journal Article | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Habitat Change | Birds | |
| Upland Land use Predicts Population Decline in a Globally Near-Threatened Wader | Douglas, D., Bellamy, P., Stephen, L., Pearce-Higgins, J., Wilson, J., Grant, M. | Journal Article | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Habitat Change | Birds | |
| Space use by Female Greater Prairie-Chickens in Response to Wind Energy Development | Winder, V., NcNew, L., Gregory, A., Hunt, L., Wisely, S., Sandercock, B. | Journal Article | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Habitat Change | Birds | |
| Effects of Wind Energy Development on Survival of Female Greater Prairie-Chickens | Winder, V., NcNew, L., Gregory, A., Hunt, L., Wisely, S., Sandercock, B. | Journal Article | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Collision | Birds | |
| Evaluating Greater Sage-Grouse Seasonal Space Use Relative to Leks: Implications for Surface Use Designations in Sagebrush Ecosystems | Coates, P., Casazza, M., Blomberg, E., Gardner, S., Espinosa, S., Yee, J., Wiechman, L., Halstead, B. | Journal Article | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Habitat Change | Birds | |
| Fågelundersökningar vid Storruns vindkraftanläggning, Jämtland (Bird surveys at Storrun's wind farm, Jämtland) | Falkdalen, U., Lindahl, L., Nygård, T. | Report | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Collision | Birds, Ground-Nesting Birds | |
| Measuring the Effectiveness of Conservation: A Novel Framework to Quantify the Benefits of Sage-Grouse Conservation Policy and Easements in Wyoming | Copeland, H., Pocewicz, A., Naugle, D., Griffiths, T., Keinath, D., Evans, J., Platt, J. | Journal Article | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Habitat Change | Birds, Ground-Nesting Birds | |
| 50 CFR Part 17: Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Status for Gunnison Sage-Grouse; Proposed Rule | Gelat, P. | Report | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Birds | ||
| Experimental Chronic Noise Is Related to Elevated Fecal Corticosteroid Metabolites in Lekking Male Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) | Blickley, J., Word, K., Krakauer, A., Phillips, J., Sells, S., Taff, C., Wingfield, J., Patricelli, G. | Journal Article | Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind | Noise | Birds |