Science in Practice Portal

Locating sharp-tailed grouse ( Pedidecetes phasianellus ) leks is important in identifying and evaluating their habitat. Sharp-tailed grouse mate, nest, feed, raise broods, and winter within 1.5 miles of leks. Thus, if lek locations are known, crucial yearlong habitat can be identified.

Color infrared aerial photography was used to identity potential sharp-tailed grouse leks, two-thirds of which were verified on field checks in the following years. The technique proved to be both valuable and cost-effective: the number of known leks in the BLM's Phillips Resource Area, Montana, increased from 30 to 291 as a direct result of using this procedure.