Grouse displaying at a Lek in northern Utah...



Male greater sage-grouse strut displays on a lek near Hudson, Wyoming USA. During the spring, males gather on breeding grounds, called leks. Males perform strut displays to court females and define their display territories on the lek. The "burp" sounds occur when males inhale or exhale air from the vocal sacs on their chests. A few attractive males will mate with almost all of the females who visit the lek, and most males will not mate at all. Females raise the young on their own.