Male Sage-Grouse Perform Dramatic Mating Display At Sunrise In Northwest Colorado

A male greater sage-grouse has been filmed performing its striking spring mating display at sunrise on a wide-open lek in the sagebrush steppe.

The handheld video shows the bird moving across dusty ground while spreading its tail feathers into a full fan shape during its courtship ritual.

It also inflates two large yellow air sacs on its chest and produces deep “booming” calls that travel across the open landscape.

Other sage-grouse can be seen in the background as the camera holds a steady ground-level view under golden early-morning light.

The footage captures the bird’s repeated dance-like steps across the lek, where the mating display takes place.

The post accompanying the video states: “Sound up CO’s sage-grouse are winding down their mating season & it’s one of spring’s best sights + sounds,” and describes the behavior as part of a seasonal ritual.

Males compete on these leks by strutting, booming, and displaying in order to attract females before the mating season concludes.