A mostly brown, short-tailed, chicken-like bird. Adult is brown overall with slight crest, thin, pointed tail, lightly spotted and scaled underparts, white spots on brown wings, and short, black bill. Displaying male leans forward with tail pointed straight up, showing purple air sacs on neck and yellow crown patch, fanning wings, and vocalizing. In flight, note light wedge-shaped tail with dark tip. Other grouse have dark or heavily barred underparts.

Length: 43 (cm) Wingspan: 63 (cm)

Voice:

Displaying male emits cooing, hooting sounds. Also a variety of clucking and quacking sounds.

Habitat:

Grasslands, shrubby fields, prairies, open aspen stands.

Behavior:

Males display at traditional leks, converging on one area to let females choose mates. Nest is a well-concealed ground depression lined with grasses. Often encountered in small groups.

Feeding:

Forages on ground, pecking at seeds, leaves, berries, and insects.