Columbian sharp-tailed grouse

Out of the seven subspecies of sharp-tailed grouse, the Columbian is the smallest at 15–20 inches (38–51 cm) in length.{{cite web|url=http://www.fws.gov/pacific/news/2000/2000-166qa.htm|title=Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse Q&A|publisher=U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service|access-date=2008-12-26}} They have plumage with a base of grayish-brown, white and black markings, and a white wedge-shaped tail. Males have a longer tail, a purple throat patch and a yellow comb over the eye.

Its historical range extended from British Columbia south through eastern Washington and Oregon to Northeastern California, Nevada, and Utah, and then west to the Continental Divide.{{cite web|url=http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/research/papers/sharptail_grouse/sharptail_genetics.htm |title=Genetic Analysis of Columbian Sharp-Tailed Grouse: A Preliminary Study - Final Report |last=Warheit |first=Dr. Kenneth I. |author2=Dr. Michael A. Schroeder |date=July 2001 |work=wdfw.wa.gov |publisher=Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife |access-date=2008-12-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006204335/http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/research/papers/sharptail_grouse/sharptail_genetics.htm |archive-date=October 6, 2008 }} It inhabits sagebrush-bunchgrass prairies, meadow-steppe, mountain shrub, and riparian zones. It was first described by the Lewis and Clark expedition,{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lewisandclark/record_species_193_15_4.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030219223949/http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lewisandclark/record_species_193_15_4.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 19, 2003|title=Lewis & Clark-Animals-Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse|work=nationalgeographic.com|publisher=enature.com|access-date=2008-12-26}} and was named by George Ord.

Due to excessive habitat loss, it is no longer present in the majority of its range, and exists only in isolated remnant populations that comprise less than ten percent of its original habitat.{{cite web |url=http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/projects/scp/assessments/columbiansharptailedgrouse.pdf |title=Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus): A Technical Conservation Assessment |work=fs.fed.us |publisher=U.S. Forest Service |date=August 17, 2007 |last=Hoffman |first=Richard W. |author2=Allan E. Thomas }} These populations are sequestered in central British Columbia, southeastern Idaho and northern Utah, and northwestern Colorado and south-central Wyoming. It was extirpated entirely from Oregon by the 1960s, but was reintroduced in Wallowa County beginning in 1991;{{cite web|url=http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/upland_bird/projects/index.asp|title=Upland Game Birds - Columbia sharp-tailed grouse|work=dfw.state.or.us|publisher=Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife|access-date=2008-12-27}} a small population of the birds now persists in the Leap Area of Zumwalt Prairie.{{cite news |title=Zumwalt Prairie undergoes changes as the Nature Conservancy works to protect natural environment |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2010/08/zumwalt_prairie_undergoes_chan.html |work=The Oregonian |last=Cockle |first=Richard |date=August 20, 2010 }}

The Columbian sharp-tailed grouse was petitioned to be listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act twice, but was denied in both cases.{{cite web|url=http://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/Species/Data/ColumbianSharptailedGrouse/|title=Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse|work=Species Fact Sheet|publisher=Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife|access-date=2008-12-26}} It is currently considered a Species of Concern in several U.S. states.

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• [http://www.opb.org/programs/ofg/segments/view/1762 video] from Oregon Field Guide about reintroduction efforts in the state

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Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse

Columbian Sharp-tailed

Category:Native birds of the Western United States