The Sharp-tailed Grouse is found in grasslands and open woodlands from the Great Lakes west to the Yukon (Connelly et al. 1998). It has disappeared from much of the southern portion of its range in the United States, but is still found throughout most of its historic range in Canada (Connelly et al. 1998). The species is best monitored in Canada by the Breeding Bird Survey, which suggests little overall change in population since about 1970. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
Sharp-tailed Grouse are hunted throughout most of their range; harvest rates can have significant effects on spring populations in some years (Connelly et al. 1998). Northern populations use early-successional habitats created by fire and logging (Barrette 1996, Connelly et al. 1998, Leupin 2003). Male Sharp-tailed Grouse display in early spring at sites called “leks”, which are an important component of the species' habitat requirements (Connelly et al. 1998). Disturbance at leks and loss of lek habitat may result in regional population declines (Baydack et Hein 1987, Niemuth 2011).
Environment and Climate Change Canada and partners have developed Bird Conservation Region Strategies in each of Canada’s Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs). In these strategies, selected species are identified as priorities for one or more of the following reasons:
Select any of the sub-regions below to view the BCR strategy for additional details.