Sharp-tailed Grouse

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Two male Sharp-tailed Grouse face off at the lek on Manitoulin Island. Between 35 and 50 grouse were at the lek. We saw mostly males.

At dawn, a male dances with purple sacs inflated and golden combs erect.

This male Sharp-tailed Grouse watches from a rock. It raises its golden eyebrows and makes cooing and cackling sounds with its purple air sacs. Males also rub their central tail feathers together to make a ratting sound like a lawn mower.