Wisconsin's Prairie Chickens
Booming
"In
the April dawn, when the morning air is crisp and the sky lightness to a cool
pink, open fields on Buena Vista Marsh come alive with wild voices and the
sounds of stomping feet. It is the annual mating ritual of the greater prairie
chicken, an activity known as "booming." This primitive ceremony pits bird
against bird as male chickens stake out territory to attract hens for mating.
The performance takes its name from the distinctive sound made by the male
chicken, a deep and resonant three-noted 'whoo, whoo, whoooooo' accompanied by
whoops and cackles that signal territorial possession. The loud booming call
and ritualistic fighting of the birds as they jump, flutter and square off
against each other is punctuated by the sounds of prairie chicken feet beating
double time in a performance that inspired the species' scientific name,
Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus, or 'drummer of love'."
--This
information is courtesy of the WDNR EEK! Website at
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/critter/bird/prairiechicken.htm.
Viewing
Observation blinds
at Wisconsin's prairie chicken management sites offer researchers and hardy bird
watchers the chance to witness the booming ritual. April is the ideal time, and
visitors can make arrangements through the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
by calling the Viewing Coordinator at (715)346-3259 or toll free at (877)269-6626.
