Qualifies for the list as a Red List Species

Photo: Wendy Shattil/Bob Rozinski

The Gunnison Sage-Grouse was newly described as a species separate from the Greater Sage-Grouse. It is characterized by a smaller body size, unique plumage, and low genetic variation; differences in mating displays and vocalizations have also been noted. It is found only in six or seven counties in Colorado, and one in Utah. The Gunnison Basin in Colorado comprises over half its entire world range. The bird’s habitat is shrub-steppe below 9,200 feet including sagebrush, riparian areas, meadows. The bird uses different habitats for leks, nesting, brood-rearing, and winter at various times of the year. Lek habitat is dominated by low, open vegetation with sagebrush areas within 400 yards with a canopy cover of at least 20% and a grass canopy cover of at least 25%.

Nesting takes place within the sagebrush community and is characterized by sagebrush canopy covers of up to 40%, grass heights of a minimum of 6 inches and grass cover of a minimum of 30% with a mixture of 10% forbs. Brood-rearing habitat is along the edges and into meadows and riparian areas in areas with a large grass component and a high percentage of forbs. Winter habitat is determined primarily by snow depth. Sage-Grouse eat only sage-brush leaves during the winter and often can only find exposed plants in drainages where vigorous sagebrush growth occurs during the spring and on southern or westernly aspects on slopes of greater than 5%. Other areas used during the winter include wind-swept mesas and ridge tops. For the grouse, winter habitat as well as the leks, nesting area and brood habitats are equally important. Winter use sites are critical for the species and may change within and between years depending upon climatic conditions. Lek sites are traditional areas that may have been used for thousands of years.

The total estimated population size is less than 4,000 breeding birds, with over half existing in the Gunnison Basin. At present the population of the Gunnison Sage-Grouse is declining in Colorado (it declined 11% in 1999 in the Gunnison Basin) and its distribution has been reduced substantially from historical levels. The pressing threats to the Gunnison Sage-Grouse continue to be the loss, degradation, and fragmentation of habitat. Some private landowners on lands where leks are located have put conservation easements on their property. The local, state, and federal agencies are actively trying to work to increase grouse numbers and those agencies are currently very aware of their importance to Sage-Grouse conservation.

Critical to the populations’ recovery is keeping specific breeding areas confidential. The use of ATVs is a threat to the bird. Concern about the species' conservation status prompted the Colorado Division of Wildlife and the Bureau of Land Management to take the lead in organizing a citizen-based group, the Gunnison Sage-Grouse Working Group, with all stakeholders present to develop a Conservation Plan for the bird in the Gunnison Basin. The plan was completed in 1997 and is being implemented. As stated in the plan, the overall goal is “to manage the Gunnison Basin watershed in a manner that restores Gunnison Sage-Grouse distribution and numbers as determined by the carrying capacity of the habitat.” The plan addresses such threats as decline in habitat quality, habitat loss and fragmentation, and physical disturbance to bird populations. Actions suggested by the plan include lek enhancement, riparian area restoration, nest habitat treatments, improved livestock management, developing Best Management Practices, and nest predator research.