Quantitative Indicies to Activity and Territoriality of Booming Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus in Kansas

Abstract

The greater prairie chicken (Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus) is characteristic of climax grasslands of North America. Its distribution has been reduced drastically by changes in land use and management (Aldrich, 1963). Attrition of suitable habitat has resulted in reduced prairie chicken populations throughout most of their present range. Such a reduction in numbers has generated concern for their well-being by conservation minded biologists of North America. Many data have been collected of greater prairie chicken population dynamics, habitat requirements and preferences, distribution, food habits, and other such facts of a general nature. Most studies have been confined to areas where greater prairie chicken numbers are moderate to low. Greatest efforts are often found where populations near extinction. Few studies have been made in areas where greater prairie chicken populations are high and stable. Greater prairie chickens are social birds that exhibit a breeding display during spring months. The display involves primarily males and the area on which the display is conducted is termed a booming or dancing ground. Such a group display by male birds is similar to leks of black cocks (Lyrurus tetrix) (Selous, 1909), hooting grounds of sharptailed grouse (Pedioecetes phasianellus) (Scott, 1950), and strutting grounds of sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) (Dalke, et al., 1963). Territorial behavior displayed on leks, strutting grounds, hooting grounds and booming grounds is an integral force in the natural regulation of Tetraonid populations (Tinbergen, 1957; Wynn-Edwards, 1962). An early descriptive study of greater prairie chicken booming activity was made by Brickenridge (1929). More thorough and complete studies have followed, e.g., Hamerstrom (1941), Schwartz (1945) and Hamerstorm and Hamerstrom (1955). Most recent greater prairie chicken studies have involved primarily population changes or other such management related aspects of a recreational and endangered species. This study was conducted to obtain basic quantitative data on booming ground activity and territoriality of booming ground participants in a large and stable population of greater prairie chickens.