Great Plains – USA

About

The Great Plains of North America stretch across a vast expanse from the Canadian Prairies through the central United States and into northern Texas, offering some of the most unique birding opportunities in more than a million square miles. Characterized by sweeping grasslands, rolling hills, and big skies, the region is home to a distinctive community of birds that are highly adapted to this open and often harsh environment. Over 400 species of birds can be found in the Great Plains. This region is a birding destination that’s as rewarding as it is underappreciated. 

Many of the species found in the Great Plains are grassland obligates. These are birds that rely on open prairie ecosystems for breeding and survival. These include Baird’s Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Sprague’s Pipit, and the charismatic Lark Bunting. Some of these species are in decline due to habitat loss, making sightings even more special. Since 1970, populations of many prairie specialists have dropped significantly due to habitat loss from agriculture, energy development, and fragmentation. Conservation programs like the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and initiatives by organizations such as the Audubon Society and American Prairie help protect and restore essential habitat for these species.

Unlike forest birding, the Great Plains offer vast open landscapes where birds are often visible on the ground or perched on fences and shrubs. This allows for longer viewing distances and excellent photography opportunities, especially with a spotting scope or long lens.

In spring, one of the most extraordinary birding sights in North America is the lekking dances of the Greater and Lesser Prairie-Chickens.

As the chill of winter fades, the prairie comes alive with a sound and sight that feels prehistoric. Before sunrise, male prairie-chickens gather on open patches of grass, called leks, and perform courtship displays that blend rhythm, color, and vocalization. The leks are often tucked into quiet corners of Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Colorado, sometimes hidden in private ranchlands or public preserves. 

The Greater Prairie-Chicken is found throughout parts of Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and even into Minnesota and Wisconsin. This bird is characterized by its big body and bold striping, with glowing orange air sacs. On the lek, males boom, dance, and raise their pinnae feathers in a slow, deliberate display. Smaller and more range-restricted than their cousins, the Lesser Prairie-Chicken is typically found in the southern High Plains. This region includes western Kansas, Oklahoma, eastern New Mexico, Texas, and southeastern Colorado. Their display is similar but quicker and more erratic, with a bubbling call and reddish air sacs.

Birding the Great Plains is an immersive experience—one that rewards patience, attention to subtlety, and a willingness to look closely at a landscape many overlook. 

Owen traveled here in May 2025.