Tympanuchus cupido attwateri
Description: The Attwater’s Prairie Chicken is a small, brown bird up to 17 inches long. They have short, rounded tails. Males have large orange air sacs on the sides of their necks. They inflate them, and produce a loud “booming” sounds, used to attract a mate. General Information: Attwater’s Prairie Chickens were traditionally found on the coastal prairies of Texas. The grasslands they inhabited consisted of tall grasses such as little bluestem, indiangrass, and switchgrass. They are endangered due to a lack of suitable habitat. Habitat: Tall grass coastal prairies. Range: Coastal Texas. Reproduction: 7 to 17 eggs. Eggs usually hatch in April or May. Life Span: 2 to 6 years. Diet: In the Wild: Small green leaves, seeds, and insects. At the Zoo: Seeds, chopped up greens. Interesting Facts: The Abilene Zoo, in conjunction with other zoological institutions and Texas Parks and Wildlife, participates in the captive breeding of the Attwater’s Prairie Chicken. Each year, a number of the young are released into the wild, at Attwater’s Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge near Eagle Lake, Texas.
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