Lesser Prairie Chicken
Small prairie chicken ( Tympanuchus pallidicinctus )
The little prairie chicken ( Tympanuchus pallidicinctus ) it is a species in the family of Gamebird. The species is found exclusively in southwestern North America.
Appearance
The little prairie chicken reaches a body length of 38-41 inches. The males are slightly larger than females. Males weigh on average 790 grams and the females weigh an average of 700 grams. The appearance is otherwise similar to the prairie chicken, with the little prairie chicken is closely related.
Distribution and habitat
The little prairie chicken originally came before throughout the southwestern Great Plains. For distribution area included the southeastern part of Colorado, the southwest of Kansas, the west by Oklahoma, northern Texas and eastern New Mexico. Currently the little prairie chicken comes only in 10 percent of the original area of distribution and the distribution area is fragmented. Therefore, the species is considered endangered.
Way of life
Like all prairie chickens also courting the small prairie chicken leks in. Usually courtship 10-15 males together. There but more than 40 courting taps have also been observed. The nest usually consists of 12 to 14 very bright eggs. The laying period falls within the period from April to May. Incubation period is 24 days.