Prairie Chicken

Tympanuchus cupido

The 'Drummer of Love', otherwise known as the Greater Prairie Chicken resides in the nearby Buena Vista Grasslands.

The Wildlife Society in conjunction with the Wisconsin DNR, participates in the annual Prairie Chicken Census. The Prairie Chicken is a State Threatened species since 1979.

The Wisconsin population suffered a bottleneck effect causing a loss of genetic diversity. A study was done by UWM students and can be read here .

When the chicken was abundant, it was found throughout southeastern Wisconsin . Today there are scattered populations in Central Wisconsin , with the greatest abundance in the Buena Vista Grasslands.

The Project runs the entire month of April. We get up and out of town before sunrise to beat the Prairie Chickens to the blind. When you are out there you will not be disappointed. The males boom, dance and fight their way into the heart of a female

Prairie Chicken. It is quite a display, and something that is never forgotten.

We take 2 university vehicles, so if you don't have a car, it's not a problem.

We also offer workshops to learn about chicken behavior prior to heading out to the blinds. If you would like to get more information about how to participate, please contact any of the project leaders. If you are in the Wildlife Society, look for emails towards the end of March and throughout April.