What’s a Prairie Chicken, and Why is the Iowa DNR Watching for Them?

In all of my exploring, hunting, and fishing across our great state of Iowa, I have never seen this animal; at least that I am aware of. In fact, I thought the term prairie chicken was just another nickname for our ringneck population, the pheasant. Turns out I couldn't be farther from the truth. In fact, they much more closely resemble our local grouse population. So, as I am just learning something new, why is it that the Iowa DNR has put them on a "watch list" of sorts for local residents?

Here's why: prairie chickens are unique birds that used to be much more common across the Midwest. They produce booming calls and perform elaborate springtime mating dances on open grasslands called leks. Male prairie chickens puff up bright orange neck sacs, raise ear-like feathers from their eyebrows, drum on the ground, bow, pivot, and posture. They do all of this to impress females, with only the showiest males attracting hens. One strong male can even breed up to 90 percent of the females on a lek. Females, however, blend into the background to hide from predators while nesting. These stellar mating displays are rarely seen by even local Iowa biologists, and increasingly less now.

Of course, these birds were once found all across Iowa. In the 1880s, prairie chickens were the most abundant game birds in the state. Hunters regularly took dozens, and sometimes hundreds, in a day. By 1915, hunting seasons for the birds ended, but habitat loss continued. At that time, the last known nesting in Iowa occurred in 1952. Restoration began in the 1980s, first with attempts in the Loess Hills and Ringgold County. The Kellerton Lek was established in the 1990s, and from 2012 to 2017, the DNR brought in birds from Nebraska to boost genetic diversity. Today, that population remains small and closely monitored in one of Iowa's bird conservation areas.

That brings us to now. The Iowa DNR wants Iowans to report prairie chicken sightings. If you see one while checking fields, driving gravel roads, or walking prairie edges, call 515-230-6599 or email vwmp@dnr.iowa.gov. Every report helps biologists track this small population and protect these unique birds.

Prairie chickens are more than just birds. They are part of Iowa history, and in the past were a true herald of spring. Watching one perform on the lek shows the energy and beauty of this species. So, keep your eyes peeled. If you happen to see a prairie chicken, you may just witness something truly special few have ever seen in person.