The Gunnison sage grouse’s annual spring mating display is a rapid series of visual and acoustic cues. Nesting begins in mid-April and continues into July. Of this, about 54% occurs on federal lands; 43% occurs on private lands; and 3% percent occurs on state lands. The Gunnison Sage-Grouse was considered part of a single species, the Sage Grouse. Western State College - The Gunnison Sage-Grouse Recent genetic work and behavioral studies have split this former species in to the Greater Sage-Grouse and the Gunnison Sage-Grouse. Other threats include overgrazing, mineral development, piñon juniper encroachment, fences, invasive plants, fire, large scale water development, predation (primarily associated with human disturbance and habitat decline), and recreation. Counts of the birds indicate a decline in the species within the Gunnison Basin of more than 60% since the 1950's. As of 2015, the Gunnison Basin population in Colorado contains more than 86% of the total number of birds. GUSG is currently listed a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. In 2000, the Gunnison Sage-grouse was designated as a candidate species for listing under the Endangered Species Act by the U.S. It is restricted in range to southwestern Colorado and extreme southeastern Utah, with the largest population residing in the GunnisonBasin region in Colorado. Male Gunnison sage-grouse conduct an elaborate display when trying to attract females on breeding grounds, or leks in the spring. Utah is home to two sage-grouse species: the greater sage-grouse and the Gunnison sage-grouse. The U.S. Loss and fragmentation of sagebrush habitats are chief causes of the decline of Gunnison sage-grouse populations. In addition, Biological Science Technicians are conducting studies, including trapping the birds on their breeding grounds and fitting them with small radio transmitters. Ultimately, researchers hope to connect existing isolated populations of the sage-grouse. Despite being nativ… It has a photo comparison between the Northern Sage Grouse, and the Gunnison Sage Grouse, and videos to allow you to watch each of them strut their stuff. It was not recognized until 2000 as a different species to the greater sage-grouse. They have the same spectacular courtship, where males gather on lekking grounds to puff themselves up, fan their tails into a starburst, and use bizarre pouches in their chests to make loud burbling noises. The largest amount, about 2,500 birds, inhabits the Gunnison Basin. If you would like more information, contact Allison Vendramel. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), determine threatened species status under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), for the Gunnison sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus), a bird species from southwestern Colorado and … For more information, contact Allison Vendramel. Gunnison Sage-Grouse are similar to, but rarer than, their close relative the Greater Sage-Grouse. This group, with representatives from government agencies, environmental groups, ranchers, biologists, and concerned citizens, is committed to improving habitat and minimizing future impacts to sage-grouse. A recovery plan outlines the objective, measurable criteria that would need to be met in order to recover a species. Lawsuit Filed to Secure Endangered Status for Gunnison Sage Grouse Online Messenger #302 (view with pictures, as displayed in email) When the U.S. They need the same kind of habitat that ranchers do. At 7 p.m. on the Friday evening of each weekend, March 29 and April 12, an orientation will be held in the commission chambers of the San Juan County Building, 117 South Main in Monticello. For almost two decades, Gunnison sage-grouse conservation in the Gunnison Basin has been driven by local stakeholders, local government, and state and federal Authorized Officers and staff located in the Gunnison Basin, periodically spurred by U.S. Local counties, private landowners and other stakeholders in Gunnison sage-grouse habitat have a large role to play in informing the strategy, and we are actively seeking public participation. Its range is sagebrush country in the western United States and southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada. We, the U.S. Pets must be leashed and kept away from the birds as well as other wildlife. The other six satellite populations are much smaller, isolated, and are generally declining or significantly below population objectives. Gunnison sage grouse mating ritual. Males have distinct, white barring on their tail feathers and long, dense filoplumes on their necks that look similar to a ponytail. What can you do? It is an excellent place to view the sage grouse. As a result of a consent decree over the lawsuit, Fish and Wildlife was obligated to reevaluate the status of the Gunnison sage grouse, which resulted in the agency determining in 2010 that the grouse warranted listing but doing so was precluded by other higher priority issues. Like the greater sage-grouse, Gunnisons require sagebrush for cover year-round, and they use it as a food source in fall and winter. 2018. The fragmented nature of the remaining sagebrush habitat amplifies the negative effects of other threats. Current Status In 2014, the U.S. An extensive multimedia section displays the latest photos, videos and audio selections from the Macaulay Library. There is also one population center near Monticello, Utah. The plan is necessary to create a rangewide perspective to the long-term survival of the Gunnison Sage-grouse. The Conservation Plan recognizes recreational use of the Gunnison Sage-grouse during the spring lekking season as a viable human activity, but as a potential impact on grouse population status. Hike and camp with care in grouse habitat (or sagebrush dominated areas) so as not to disturb or injure the birds. The Gunnison grouse or Gunnison sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus) is a species of grouse endemic to the United States. All images credit to and courtesy of the U.S. This document will be updated as new information on the species becomes available. The US Fish and Wildlife Service listed the Gunnison Sage-grouse as a Threatened Species on 12 November 2014 under the Endangered Species Act. The Gunnison Basin population trend has been stable during the same period. Gunnison sage-grouse currently occupy approximately 7% percent of their potential historic range. Land conversion, development, roads and intensive grazing have isolated the birds from one another. In Colorado, these are the Pinon Mesa, Crawford, San Miguel Basin, Gunnison Basin, Dove Creek, Cerro Summit-Cimarron-Simo Mesa, and Poncha Pass populations. Watch birds quietly from vehicles at a distance during the spring mating season only at designated watchable wildlife areas. Counts of the birds … Respect area closures for leks in the parks during grouse mating season. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) listed the Gunnison sage-grouse as merely “threatened” last November, conservation groups immediately called foul because all the scientific evidence points clearly to a fully “endangered” listing. Plants; Threatened Status for Gunnison Sage Grouse. Region 6 Ecological Services, Western Colorado Field Office, Grand Junction, CO. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources [UDWR]. for the Gunnison Sage-Grouse . Fish and Wildlife Service listed the Gunnison sage-grouse as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and designated 1.4 million acres of critical habitat to support the bird’s recovery. Since the conservation agreement was adopted, the Gunnison Sage-Grouse population in the Gunnison Basin has declined dramatically from 3,149 in 2013 to only 1,667 in 2020 — a more than 40 percent decline in just six years. It is similar to the closely related greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) in appearance, but about a third smaller in size, with much thicker plumes behind the head; it also has a less elaborate courtship dance. It is currently protected as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The Gunnison sage-grouse is the rarer of the two. This Opinion takes effect concurrent with the effective date of the grouse’s listing as a threatened species on December 22nd, 2014. It is estimated that only 4000-5000 birds remain in isolated populations throughout southeast Utah and southwest Colorado today. The current rangewide population is estimated at 5,000 birds across the eight population areas. The Gunnison sage grouse’s total range has declined to 7 percent of its historic range, with most of the remaining populations in danger of disappearing. Spectacular male display involves fanning tail, inflating yellow air sacs on chest, and thrusting them forward to produce liquidy popping noises. Conservation status: Has disappeared from about 90 percent of its former range, owing to loss and degradation of habitat. DENVER, Colo. – A new survey of the Gunnison sage-grouse by Colorado Parks and Wildlife shows the imperiled bird’s three-year running average count has hit a historic low, with fewer than 1,600 birds remaining in 2020. The range of Gunnison sage-grouse closely matches the distribution of sagebrush habitats. Both sexes gray overall with very fine patterning, black belly, and long pointed tail. Here is a link to the Gunnison Sage Grouse website of Dr. Jessica Young, Western State College. Linking remaining populations of birds together will help increase genetic variation and hopefully, the number of birds as well. While visiting Curecanti National Recreation Area, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and the Gunnison Country, there are simple things that each of us can do to show our concern for the sage-grouse. A federal plan to recover the Gunnison sage-grouse in parts of Colorado and Utah could cost up to $560 million and take half a century, according to a draft recovery plan. Mostly, this species resides in the Gunnison Basin of Colorado, as their name attests, though small populations exist in other areas of Colorado and Utah. 4 2018 Update Approved by the Gunnison Basin Sage-grouse Strategic Committee June 20, 2018 Lek: The official lek status and high male count are defined and reported from lekking data collected and published by CPW in their annual Gunnison … Gunnison Sage-Grouse was listed as federally threatened in November 2014, and is on the 2016 State of North America's Birds' Watch List, which includes bird species that are most at risk of extinction without significant conservation actions to reverse declines and reduce threats. The sage-grouse in the Gunnison Basin, including those in and around Curecanti National Recreation Area, account for the majority of these birds. Their known population is quite small, with … They inhabit sagebrush hills up to about 9,500 feet in elevation. While the Gunnison Basin population currently appears to be stable, the Service has determined that the smaller populations in particular are highly vulnerable to extirpation, leaving the entire species vulnerable, and that the threats to the Gunnison Basin population may be higher in the future. Approximately 940,000 acres of habitat are occupied by the species. Found on open plains and high valleys, but only in vicinity of sagebrush. It is similar to the closely related Greater Sage-Grouse in appearance but about a third smaller in size, with much thicker plumes behind the head; it also has a less elaborate courtship dance. This means that when ranchers sell off their land, the kind of habitat good for Gunnison sage grouse gets split up, and it is more difficult for them to survive. Current population is in the low thousands and probably still declining. Draft Species status assessment for Gunnison Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus minimus). The Gunnison sage-grouse is an endemic grouse of the United States. The Gunnison sage-grouse is a species of sage-grouse found south of the Colorado River in Colorado and Utah. ("Sage Grouse Initiative", 2012) It is estimated that only 4000-5000 birds remain in isolated populations throughout southeast Utah and southwest Colorado today. The Gunnison Grouse, Centrocercus minimus, is a species of grouse endemic to the United States, where it is known as the Gunnison Sage-Grouse. Geographical Information System (GIS) technology is used with the radio-telemetry data and vegetation inventories to identify existing or potential habitat, sage-grouse movements, seasonal habitat requirements, reproductive success and causes of mortality. 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