Sharp-Tailed Grouse vs Greater Prairie-Chicken
North Dakota currently does not allow hunting of greater prairie-chicken.
When hunting sharp-tailed grouse, it is important to be able to differentiate between the species.
The images below show some key visual differences between the greater prairie-chicken and sharp-tailed grouse.
Tails
Sharp-Tailed Grouse
Sharp-tailed grouse have tapered tails that come to a point in the middle. Outer tail feathers are white.
Greater Prairie-Chicken
Greater prairie-chickens have blunt, brown/buff colored tails.
Barring
Sharp-Tailed Grouse
Sharp-tailed grouse have v-shaped barring on their breast and belly. Barring is heavier on the breast and fades to white on the belly.
Greater Prairie-Chicken
Greater prairie-chickens have heavy horizontal barring across their backs, breasts and bellies.
(Note: Male prairie-chickens have long "pinnae" feathers on the sides of their necks. Females have much less pronounced pinnae. Sharp-tailed grouse lack pinnae.)
Range
Sharp-Tailed Grouse
Greater Prairie-Chicken
