Once common, both the Lesser Prairie Chicken and Greater Prairie Chicken were hunted nearly to extinction in the 19th century by hungry pioneers during westward expansion. Now they can be seen only with difficulty locally on leks where each spring males strut their stuff trying to impress potential mates. Displaying Lesser Prairie Chicken males show an orange air sac and, as the name implies, is smaller in size. The two species do not mingle.
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Lesser Prairie Chicken
Holly, CO
April 9, 2015 ©John Schwarz
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Lesser Prairie Chicken
Holly, CO
April 9, 2015 ©John Schwarz
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Lesser Prairie Chicken
Holly, CO
April 9, 2015 ©John Schwarz
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Lesser Prairie Chickens
Holly, CO
April 9, 2015 ©John Schwarz
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Lesser Prairie Chicken
Holly, CO
April 9, 2015 ©John Schwarz
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Lesser Prairie Chickens
Holly, CO
April 9, 2015 ©John Schwarz
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Lesser Prairie Chicken
Holly, CO
April 9, 2015 ©John Schwarz
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Lesser Prairie Chickens
Holly, CO
April 9, 2015 ©John Schwarz
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Lesser Prairie Chickens
Holly, CO
April 9, 2015 ©John Schwarz
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Lesser Prairie Chickens
Holly, CO
April 9, 2015 ©John Schwarz
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Lesser Prairie Chickens
Holly, CO
April 9, 2015 ©John Schwarz
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Lesser Prairie Chickens
Holly, CO
April 9, 2015 ©John Schwarz