Greater sage-grouse near Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge, Tom Koerner/USFWS, Public Domain
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is conducting a status review for the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) to inform the California Fish and Game Commission's decision on whether to list the species under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). More details about the listing proposal and CDFW's request for public comments may be found in our CDFW newsletter. As part of this process, the CNDDB would like to encourage anyone who has observed greater sage-grouse to submit their findings to us. People who have questions or comments about the review process should email our Wildlife Diversity Program. The deadline for both data submission and comments is April 12, 2024 to allow us sufficient time for evaluation.
The greater sage-grouse is found in sagebrush habitat throughout two distinct areas of California. The bi-state sage grouse population consists of birds from Alpine, Mono and Inyo counties, while the northeastern California population occurs in Modoc, Lassen, Plumas and Sierra counties. Greater sage-grouse are lekking birds, which means males perform elaborate displays to attract mates at communal breeding sites.
The birds’ primary food source is sagebrush, but they also eat a variety of other plants, including chicory, dandelion, clover, buckwheat, yarrow and milk-vetch. Insects like grasshoppers, beetles and ants are an important food source for chicks and hens. Threats include the loss, modification and fragmentation of habitat, as well as predation, climate change, loss of genetic diversity and disease.
As of June 30, 2023, the greater sage-grouse is considered a candidate species under CESA and will therefore receive the same legal protection afforded to an endangered or threatened species. Take of this species is prohibited without an appropriate permit for scientific, educational or management purposes. For more information on permitting, visit our CESA permits web page.
We need your help in better understanding the status of the greater sage-grouse. If you have ever found them in the wild, submit your findings to us through our Online Field Survey Form. Together, we can help the Fish and Game Commission make an informed decision on the listing proposal for the greater sage-grouse.