Winter habitats and foods of Blue Grouse in the Sheeprock Mountains, Utah

Authors

Peter J. Perkins, Utah Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Utah State University
Frederick G. Lindzey, Wyoming Cooperative Research Unit, Laramie, Wyoming
Jay A. Roberson, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Salt Lake City
Gregory McDaniel, Wyoming Cooperative Research Unit, Laramie, Wyoming
Randy Berger, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Salt Lake City

Abstract

Winter habitat use and food habits of Blue Grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) were studied in an isolated Utah desert mountain range that contained little typical Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) winter habitat. Habitat use was concentrated in the Douglas-fir and pinyon (Pinus edulis)–juniper (Juniperus spp.) habitat. Douglas-fir and pinyon pine were the most consumed foods. Other foods that represented >15% of the composition of an individual fecal sample were limber pine (Pinus flexilis), mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifoliu), juniper, and an Anteunaria–Cirsium type. The breadth in winter diet indicates that Blue Grouse may successfully occupy other habitats when typical winter habitat is scarce.

Recommended Citation

Perkins, Peter J.; Lindzey, Frederick G.; Roberson, Jay A.; McDaniel, Gregory; and Berger, Randy (1989) "Winter habitats and foods of Blue Grouse in the Sheeprock Mountains, Utah," Great Basin Naturalist: Vol. 49: No. 2, Article 9.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/gbn/vol49/iss2/9