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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 barring - V-shaped heavy on upper chest, fading to white on belly

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-chicken barring - Heavy horizontal barring all over

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