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Lesser Prairie Chicken

Lesser Prairie Chicken
Lesser Prairie Chicken. Photo © Dick Wilberforce

Lesser Prairie Chicken

A smaller, paler version of the Greater Prairie Chicken, the Lesser Prairie Chicken inhabits open rangeland dominated by shinnery oak or sand sagebrush. Medium-sized, grayish brown grouse. Total length 38-41 cm. Sexes similar, and plumages similar throughout year. In adults, most of body is barred with alternating dark (brown) and light (buffy white) bands. Dark bands on upperparts are complex, including black and cinnamon tones; light bands on upperparts range from buff to white. Upperparts are therefore darker and more richly colored than underparts. Chin and throat largely unmarked. Tail short, rounded, and brownish black. Male displays bright yellow eye-comb above eye and dull red esophageal “air sacs” on side of neck during courtship. Male also has a tuft of elongated feathers (pinnae) on each side of neck; these are held erect during courtship display. Females have shorter pinnae. Immatures similar to adults, but more richly colored, especially on throat.

States in which the Lesser Prairie Chicken is known or believed to occur:  Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. (Source: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)

For Major Circuit Championships run on Prairie Chicken see: Major Circuit Open All-Age Championship Map, Major Circuit Open Shooting Dog Championship Map

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Strideaway is an online publication founded in 2008. We are dedicated to promoting the great sport of American pointing dog field trials, in particular American Field sanctioned trials for pointers and setters. Our objective is to present the voices and ideas of experienced trainers, handlers, breeders and other knowledgeable participants and enthusiasts from the past to the present — amateurs and professionals alike. Whether All-Age or Shooting Dog, Horseback or Walking Trials, we place particular emphasis on wild bird field trials and the dogs that compete in them. We present richly illustrated articles and stories, podcast interviews and other types of media on a regular basis with the hope of providing an ever expanding, searchable archive of information relevant to pointing dog field trials.Read article

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