ML626746307

Observation details

Private Land. Not exact location of checklist A poor photo taken. Appears to be a pure bird. Compare to sharptail sitting next to it in tree. Dark barring starts from the neck and continues down the flanks. We don't see the gradual lightening of color as we would expect with a hybrid bird. Long pinnae are also visible. It is difficult to determine sex as it is not in full breeding attire with more developed eye combs. I observed a female GRPC copulate with a male STGR at this exact location this previous spring. It could be her, but who knows? I will continue to monitor this location through the winter and the following spring as I photograph grouse.