iN PHOTOS: Sharp-tailed grouse courtship captured near Kamloops

Sharp-tailed grouse have arguably one of the most entertaining courtship rituals to watch for every spring as the males dance and duke it out to attract the females.

The males raise their pointed tails to the sky, stamp their feet to make a drumming sound and inflate bright purple sacs on their necks to coo at the females. Then they bend down low before leaping into the air and attacking competing males, appearing vicious.

Every year in April and May, the birds return to the same communal display grounds in the grasslands called leks that can be found in BC from just south of Merritt straight north to Prince George, according to the BC Government. These leks can be used for many years if the habitat remains undisturbed.

A male sharp-tailed grouse dose a courtship dance near Kamloops.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Valerie Walsh

Last year, wildlife photographer Valerie Walsh discovered a lek for the first time in an area outside of Kamloops and returned to take photos of the courtship dances last week. 

“Sharp-tailed grouse are so beautiful, and so fascinating and entertaining to watch. I was in my glory watching and listening to them,” she said in a message to iNFOnews.ca.

She’s happy to share her photos but never discloses exact locations of the wildlife she observes.

The tubby, chicken-like birds are mottled in brown, gold, white and black. Males can be heard vocalizing from leks for a distance of up to 1.5 kilometres. 

If you have interesting wildlife photos to share, please send them to news@infonews.ca.

Sharp-tailed grouse are spotted at lekking grounds outside of Kamloops.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Valerie Walsh

A female sharp-tailed grouse watches males dance for attention at lekking grounds outside of Kamloops.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Valerie Walsh

Male sharp-tailed grouse near Kamloops fight to win females.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Valerie Walsh