Species Profile
Environmental Conservation Online System

Lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus)

Kingdom: Animalia
Class: Aves
Order: Galliformes
Family: Phasianidae

Listing Status:   

General Information

Medium-sized, grayish brown grouse. Total length 38-41 cm (Johnsgard 1983, Olawsky 1987). Sexes similar, and plumages similar throughout year. In adults, most of body is barred with alternating dark (brown) and light (buffy white) bands. Dark bands on upperparts are complex, including black and cinnamon tones; light bands on upperparts range from buff to white. Upperparts are therefore darker and more richly colored than underparts. Chin and throat largely unmarked. Tail short, rounded, and brownish black. Male displays bright yellow eye-comb above eye and dull red esophageal "air sacs" on side of neck during courtship (Copelin 1963, Sutton 1977, Johnsgard 1983). Male also has a tuft of elongated feathers (pinnae) on each side of neck; these are held erect during courtship display. Females have shorter pinnae. Immatures similar to adults, but more richly colored, especially on throat.

Lead Region:  Southwest Region (Region 2)

» Candidate Information

Current Candidate Status

Listing Priority: 2
Magnitude: High
Immediacy: Imminent
Taxonomy: Species
Species Assessment Form for the Lesser prairie-chicken -- 1Mb.
Candidate Notice of Review Documents (Showing 5 of 9 : view all)
Date Citation Page Title
11/09/2009 74 FR 57803 57878 Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions
12/10/2008 73 FR 75175 75244 Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions; Proposed Rule
12/06/2007 72 FR 69033 69106 Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions; Proposed Rule
09/12/2006 71 FR 53755 53835 Review of Native Species That Are Candidates or Proposed for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions
05/11/2005 70 FR 24869 24934 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Review of Native Species That Are Candidates or Proposed for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions; Proposed Rule

» Federal Register Documents

Most Recent Federal Register Documents (Showing 5 of 12 : view all)
Date Citation Page Title
11/09/2009 74 FR 57803 57878 Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions
12/10/2008 73 FR 75175 75244 Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions; Proposed Rule
12/06/2007 72 FR 69033 69106 Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions; Proposed Rule
09/12/2006 71 FR 53755 53835 Review of Native Species That Are Candidates or Proposed for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions
05/11/2005 70 FR 24869 24934 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Review of Native Species That Are Candidates or Proposed for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions; Proposed Rule

» Conservation Plans

Candidate Conservation Agreements (CCA): (learn more) (Showing 1 of 1 )
CCA Plan Summaries
Lesser Prairie Chicken and Dunes Sagebrush Lizard in NM
Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances (CCAA): (learn more) (Showing 3 of 3 )
CCAA Plan Summaries
Alexander
Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances for Lesser Prairie-chicken between Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Lesser Prairie Chicken and Dunes Sagebrush Lizard in New Mexico

» Petitions

Most Recent Petition Findings (Showing 2 of 2 )
Date Citation Page Title Finding
06/09/1998 63 FR 31400 31406 12-Month Finding for a Petition To List the Lesser Prairie-Chicken as Threatened and Designate Critical Habitat
  • Notice 12 month petition finding, Warranted but precluded
    • 07/08/1997 62 FR 36482 36484 90-Day Finding for a Petition To List the Lesser Prairie-Chicken as Threatened
  • Notice 90-day Petition Finding, Substantial

    • » Life History

    No Life History information has been entered into this system for this species.

    » Other Resources

    NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

    ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world.

    Last updated: November 22, 2009