Draft Recovery Plan for Gunnison Sage-Grouse I. Habitat fragmentation is particularly concerning given that the species requires a variety of adjacent habitats. Large grouse, mottled gray-brown overall with white breast, black face, chin, throat, bib and belly. By Sarah Fierce. Introduction Gunnison sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus; GUSG) is a bird in the grouse family that lives exclusively in the sagebrush steppe ecosystems of southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah. Brown tail feathers are long and pointed, with white bands. Black bill. Except where referenced, the following life history information is taken from Schroeder et al. Remarkably, this bird was not recognized as a separate species from the Greater Sage-Grouse until the year 2000. Abstract. Leks are typically open … Gunnison Sage-Grouse: Recognized as a species in 2000. On November 20, 2014, the Service listed GUSG as a threatened species (79 FR 69191) and Gunnison Sage-Grouse: Proposed Listing and Responsibilities under the Endangered Species Act . Criteria: B2ab(i,ii,iii,v) Click here for more information about the Red List categories and criteria Justification of Red List category This species qualifies as Endangered because it has a very small occupied range which is severely fragmented and declining. Yellow eye combs and long black filoplumes on neck show when courting. A rare and localized bird, found in southwestern Colorado and a small part of adjacent Utah. Gunnison Sage-grouse Rangewide Conservation Plan information is known to be specific to GRSG or GUSG, the species acronym will be used. Taxonomy In 2000, Gunnison sage-grouse and greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) were recognized as separate species. Taxonomy of Utah Birds (February 2010 - 446 species) Outline Structure: ORDER (-FORMES) ... Centrocercus urophasianus Greater Sage-Grouse Centrocercus minimus Gunnison Sage-Grouse Lagopus leucura White-tailed Ptarmigan Dendragapus obscurus Dusky Grouse Tympanuchus phasianellus Sharp-tailed Grouse Meleagridinae Meleagris gallopavo Wild Turkey … What is Gunnison sage-grouse? This determination was based on differences in physical, genetic, and behavioral characteristics, as well as geographic isolation, between the two species. Description: Gunnison sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus) are charismatic birds known for their elaborate mating ritual where males congregate on leks (breeding grounds) and strut, or “dance”, to attract mates. The two species are very similar, but this one is smaller, and males have a more strongly banded pattern on the tail feathers. Gunnison Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus minimus) is a species of concern for which little demographic information exists.To help fill this information gap, we investigated factors affecting nest success in two populations of Gunnison Sage-Grouse. At leks in Colorado, lipid reserves of male Gunnison sage-grouse following winters with snowfalls of <49 inches (124 cm) were greater than reserves following winters with snowfalls of …