Gunnison Sage-Grouse

Notes: While scouting a lek in late morning, we found the still warm body of a male Gunnison Sage-Grouse near a fence. Several feathers scattered below the fence showed that he had flown head-on into the top wire of the fence that morning, likely before it was light enough to see clearly. This tuft of feathers showed the point of impact. I also have several photos of the dead bird, revealing the lacerations caused by the barbed wire, though I have opted not to include those rather gruesome photos on this site. However, I am happy to provide them to anyone who needs them for educational or conservation purposes. Sadly, fence collisions are a serious cause of mortality for several endangered grouse species.