Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 9
Special Significance of the Species
The obligate relationship Greater Sage-Grouse exhibit with sagebrush makes them a good indicator of the health of the prairie ecosystem (CSGRT 2001). They have high public appeal due to their unique, colourful breeding display, making them a perfect ambassador for the ecosystem in which they live. Greater Sage-Grouse are declining throughout most of their range (Connelly et al. 2004; Crawford et al. 2004). They share habitat with other wildlife species of concern: the black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus), swift fox, Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus), Mountain Plover (Charadrius montanus), Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus), Sage Thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus), Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia), Ferruginous Hawk, Eastern Short-horned Lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi), Eastern Yellow-bellied Racer (Coluber constrictor flaviventris) and Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis).
In Grasslands National Park of Canada, increasing numbers of ecotourists are visiting leks for birdwatching or photography. Tourism in the park has increased by 25% a year (Saskatchewan Environment 2000) and 7,500 people visit annually (Sissons pers. comm. 2006). There are no guided lek tours in Alberta, and recreational viewing is actively discouraged (Nicholson pers. comm. 2006).
Hunting may be additive to other mortality causes of adult Greater Sage-Grouse and may result in lower breeding populations (Connelly et al. 2000b). Although no longer hunted in Canada, Greater Sage-Grouse were considered a game species in Saskatchewan (pre-1938) and Alberta (1967-1995) where they were hunted as a trophy species (Aldridge 2000). A statewide hunting season still exists in Montana (Carlson pers. comm. 2006).
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