Greater prairie chicken

Tympanuchus cupido

As well looking rather splendid the greater prairie chicken performs a fascinating dance during mating season. Males gather together and essentially have what we would call a ‘dance off’. They raise the crests on either side of their head, snap their tails and stamp their feet whilst inflating sacs hidden behind the bright orange patches on their necks, making a ‘booming’ sound. Only the most impressive dancers win the ladies.