Here There Be Grouse

When they're not strutting around the lekking grounds, sage-grouse can be difficult to find. Fortunately, they leave sign behind so we can tell if they've been using an area.

Winter scat is composed entirely of sagebrush leaves and, in keeping with the theme of food descriptions of scat, has been described as shaped like a Cheeto. The leaves of sagebrush are covered in glands that contain monoterpenes and sesquiterpine lactones. Whew ! The chemicals likely deter herbivory from most species. The monoterpenes give sagebrush its characteristic smell. The sesquiterpene lactones are indigestible to sage-grouse and are excreted in pasty, black cecal tar. Both types are shown in the photo below.

grouse sign

a cool caterpillar

Greater Sage-grouse Field Indicator Guide (pdf via ftp)

For (lots) more on sagebrush and its role in sage-grouse diet:

Rosentreter, Roger. 2005. Sagebrush identification, ecology, and palatability relative to sage-grouse. In: Shaw, Nancy L., M. Pellant, S.B. Monsen, comps. 2005. Sage-grouse habitat restoration symposium proceedings; 2001 June 4-7, Boise, ID. Proc. RMRS-P-38. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 3-16. (pdf)