Do a little dance: Nebraska prairie chickens entertain during mating season

Strutting their stuff, chests full and voices strong with song, males seek to find the love of their life. A nightclub in the city? Nope. It’s a lek in the middle of a farm field in central Nebraska. And it’s mating season for the prairie chicken, aka lower grouse.

Each spring for approximately 6-8 weeks, secluded pastures around the Cornhusker State become sites for males hoping to make a love connection. For hens, it’s an opportunity to find the father of their children.

For humans, it’s an occasion to marvel at the beauty of nature. With most leks – a small area that prairie chickens call home – located on private land, the opportunity to watch males dance and sing usually requires signing on as part of a tour. For us, we went on an early morning tour with Dusty Trails from North Platte.

Rising hours before the sun comes up, we met our tour guides at the Lincoln County visitors center, where, along with a thermos full of coffee, we boarded a converted school bus and headed down Interstate 80 for a five-hour outing.

Making our way down a secluded highway and gravel road, our driver tested the shock absorbers on the bus as the wheels on the bus went round and round while we passengers went bumpity bump bump, hanging on to the back of the seat in front of us.

Secluded area

About half a mile onto the privately-owned farmland, we arrived at our destination. With two busloads of would-be voyeurs, we used the busses as natural blinds. We could even step out and spy on the area from the front and rear of the vehicles.

We found watching from our seats most advantageous.

Shortly before sunrise, the sounds of clucking and whooping can be heard, as the birds wake from their slumber. Then, just as the sun rises over the eastern horizon, they emerge from the thick tall brown grass.

Males inflate the orange air sacs on their chests. The prairie chicken’s unique song comes from the air sac. Each male has his own dance, specifically created to attract the opposite sex.

As hens look on, males move about on the pasture’s dance floor. Each male does his best John Travolta impression like he’s Tony Manero in “Saturday Night Fever” or Danny Zuko in “Grease.”

Territorial, males chase each other off, often inadvertently opening a spot in which a new Don Juan can slide.

Unfortunately, one guy didn’t get the memo on what to do in order to sway the lovely ladies his way. While this prairie chicken had his dance moves down, strutting, jumping and tiptoeing about, his song was loud and powerful. Sadly, his act was blocked by a patch of tall grass, so no hen saw his performance. Regardless, he was having a heck of a performance for the humans watching.

After males danced, sang, and strutted their tail feathers on the catwalk, you’d think hens would be lining up to take a mate. Not the case this morning. Instead, we noticed hens running away. I guess the guys will be at it the next morning.

Nebraska original

Just like Sandhill crane viewing is a Nebraska original, watching the prairie chickens is also a Nebraska treat (though Kansas also has its share of grouse).

So, when and where should you enjoy prairie chicken dances? The mating season runs mid-March through late April.

Tour companies in Nebraska include:

Dusty Trails – North Platte – dustytrails.biz

Prairie Chicken Dances Tour – McCook – prairiechickendancetours.com

Calamus Outfitters – Burwell – calamusoutfitters.com