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The Exploding Chest Display
Male sage-grouse gather at traditional 'leks' before dawn, inflating yellow chest sacs and making bizarre popping sounds to compete for females.
Greater Sage-Grouse
Centrocercus urophasianus
Males gather at traditional 'leks' to inflate yellow chest sacs and make bizarre popping sounds — about 10% of males get 75% of all matings.
Vital Stats
🏷️ TypeGrouse (galliform bird)
🌍 Found InWestern North America — sagebrush steppe
📏 SizeMales: 65-75cm, 2-3kg | Females: 45-50cm, 1-1.5kg
⏳ Lifespan3-6 years
🔞 Sexual Maturity1-2 years
💕 Mating SystemLek — ~10% of males get ~75% of matings; extreme competition
📅 Mating SeasonMarch - May
👶 Offspring6-13 eggs per clutch; female raises alone
🍆 Penis Size2 cm
⏱️ Sex Duration5 seconds
🔬 Notable AnatomyMales inflate 2 yellow air sacs and make loud popping sounds; same lek sites used 100+ years
⚖️ Sexual DimorphismMales 2x larger with spectacular tail feathers