Sage Grouse Flock Characteristics and Habitat Selection in Winter

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Abstract
Sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) were studied in North Park, Colorado [USA], during the winters of 1973-74 and 1974-75. Distribution was plotted from sightings of 199 flocks and 17 single birds, totaling 5080 grouse. Only 50% of the 1252 km2 of lands dominated by sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) sustained winter use by grouse because of snow depth, steepness of slope and sagebrush disturbance. Nearly 80% of the use occurred in 7 areas comprising less than 7% of the total area. Sexes segregated; males formed more unisexual flocks. Flocks were the dominant social unit and contained less than 50 individuals in 88% of all observations. Flocks containing more than 50% females were larger than male flocks and used denser sagebrush stands for feeding and loafing. Roosting and feeding sites had similar vegetal and physical characteristics. Sixty-six percent of flocks were on slopes < 5%, and only 13% were on slopes > 10%. Sixty-two percent of 2350 grouse in 1973-74 and 61% of 1984 grouse in 1974-75 were females.

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