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NORTHERN GREATER PRAIRIE CHICKEN Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus (Brewster) 



Order: GALLIFOR^'IES Family: TETRAONIDAE 



Distinguishing characteristics : A brown hen-like bird of prairies; heavily barred and 

 with short, rounded dark tail and elongated pointed feathers on each side of the neck. 



Present distribution : Resident locally in prairie and other grassland habitat from eastern 

 North Dakota and northwest Minnesota south to northeastern Colorado, and south central 

 Oklahoma east to central Michigan, northwest Indiana, and south central Illinois. Very 

 localized, and much reduced or extirpated from most of its former range, particularly in 

 the more optimum habitat of the midwestern tall grass prairies . 



Former distribution : Similar to present but more extensive and continuous , particularly 

 in the eastern or tall grass prairie section of the central United States east to Ohio and 

 Kentucky and, following a marked extension of range during early white settlement, in 

 prairie sections of central southern Canada. 



Status : Decreasing over much of its range , particularly east of the Missouri River ■ 

 Extirpated in Iowa, Ohio, Kentucky, and Arkansas; doing poorly in Illinois, Missouri, 

 Wisconsin and Minnesota, and especially in Michigan and Indiana. Much reduced but still 

 numerous enough for hunting in parts of South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma. 

 Despite relatively large numbers in a few limited areas, particularly eastern Kansas, this 

 race of greater prairie chicken is so dependent on grassland habitat, and this is disappearing 

 so rapidly over much of its range because of increase of cultivation and grazing , the bird 

 is vulnerable . 



Estimated numbers : About 16,500 in the eastern prairies of Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, 

 and Minnesota. In the Great Plains States of South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma , 

 there is an estimated population of 796,400 to 1,069,400 birds. 



Breeding rate in the wild : One brood of 11 to 14 young each year. 



Reasons for decline : Loss of undisturbed grasslands resulting from cultivation, haying, 

 grazing, and invasion of trees and shrubs. The tall grass prairies which were the main 

 habitat of this species are exceptionally fertile and tillable and are the most extensively 

 utilized croplands of the Continent. 



Protective measures already taken : Acquisition of land is under way in a number of places 

 for management of habitat. Six States have acquired 13,848 acres of grassland specifically 

 for prairie chickens and 8 States have land management for these birds underway or planned. 

 Four States are conducting research on the species. A "Prairie Grouse Technical Council" 

 has been formed. In Wisconsin two foundations and other organizations and individuals 

 have spent about $240,000 for land purchases dedicated to prairie chickens. Another 

 foundation has been formed in Illinois to purchase suitable prairie land. Habitat has 

 benefited considerably from the Federal Soil Bank program while it lasted. 



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