The Most Endangered Bird In The State of Texas: ATTWATER PRAIRIE CHICKEN
What's at stake?
This beautiful bird is in danger due to limited habitat! As an ex-inhabitant of our great Wolf Prairie, present-day statistics show that it only occupies two colonies along the Texas coast. Today, there are less than one hundred Attwater Prairie Chickens left in the world.
Why is our beloved bird endangered?
This grouse is being endangered due to many obstructions such as habitat loss, primarily through the form of urbanization. Habitat loss is known as the number one threat to biodiversity. Farming needs contribute to this habitat loss as well. As a natural disaster may blow through an area and force secondary succession, the product may result in the inability for a sustainable ecosystem for the Attwater Prarie Chicken.
Life on the Coastal Prairie
The APC thrives off of a numerous amount of assorted prairie grasses for it's habitual needs. Some of those grasses include the big and little bluestem, and switchgrass. Diet for this species includes leaves, seeds and insects, which all live on the coastal prairie. The taller grasses of the coastal prarie are used by the APC for nesting and feeding and the shorter grasses are used for breeding.
The APC thrives off of a numerous amount of assorted prairie grasses for it's habitual needs. Some of those grasses include the big and little bluestem, and switchgrass. Diet for this species includes leaves, seeds and insects, which all live on the coastal prairie. The taller grasses of the coastal prarie are used by the APC for nesting and feeding and the shorter grasses are used for breeding.
Mating
The male APC takes part in a very specific mating dance in a site known as a lek. The grouse inflates the orange air sac on the side of it's face, raises its feathers, and lastly lets out a loud "booming" sound to attract females. Very fast stomping is incorporated with the dance, and the males even compete for their female mates.
A live view of the mating dance!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGSWi_vgu9
The male APC takes part in a very specific mating dance in a site known as a lek. The grouse inflates the orange air sac on the side of it's face, raises its feathers, and lastly lets out a loud "booming" sound to attract females. Very fast stomping is incorporated with the dance, and the males even compete for their female mates.
A live view of the mating dance!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGSWi_vgu9
Efforts Towards Conservation
The Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge ensures protection of habitat for the remaining population of grouse. Concerns towards endangered habitat began in the 1960's and has continued to 2015. The land that was later acclaimed as the refuge was purchased in 1972. The Endangered Species Act aids in extra protection of the species, as well. This species is also listed on the 2014 State of the Birds Report, a list which compiles the top 233 species of birds that are the most in need of immediate conservation effort. The Greater Prairie-Chicken (Attwater) is one of many birds in the U.S. Continental Portion of the list. Within that section, the species is classified under the "Red List" meaning it has a very small population and high vitality threats. Lastly, The Houston Zoo is an avid supporter of conservation; they undergo strategic methods involving the safety of a mother Attwater Prairie Chicken's eggs in order to enable further growth of the population.
Checkout what the Houston Zoo has to say!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mSVV91sOos
The Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge ensures protection of habitat for the remaining population of grouse. Concerns towards endangered habitat began in the 1960's and has continued to 2015. The land that was later acclaimed as the refuge was purchased in 1972. The Endangered Species Act aids in extra protection of the species, as well. This species is also listed on the 2014 State of the Birds Report, a list which compiles the top 233 species of birds that are the most in need of immediate conservation effort. The Greater Prairie-Chicken (Attwater) is one of many birds in the U.S. Continental Portion of the list. Within that section, the species is classified under the "Red List" meaning it has a very small population and high vitality threats. Lastly, The Houston Zoo is an avid supporter of conservation; they undergo strategic methods involving the safety of a mother Attwater Prairie Chicken's eggs in order to enable further growth of the population.
Checkout what the Houston Zoo has to say!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mSVV91sOos
In Relation to Wolf Prairie......
Although the Attwater DOES NOT occupy Wolf Prairie today, the original population numbers prove that it once did! These birds brought endless biodiversity to the prairie in terms of aesthetic value. With their beautiful feathers and highly identifiable orange air sac, they sure are something to look at!
Join conservation efforts today to bring the Attwater Prairie Chicken back to Wolf Prairie!
Although the Attwater DOES NOT occupy Wolf Prairie today, the original population numbers prove that it once did! These birds brought endless biodiversity to the prairie in terms of aesthetic value. With their beautiful feathers and highly identifiable orange air sac, they sure are something to look at!
Join conservation efforts today to bring the Attwater Prairie Chicken back to Wolf Prairie!