The prairie chicken, which includes both the Greater and Lesser species, is a ground-dwelling bird native to the North American grasslands. Their survival relies entirely on the diverse array of food sources available within their prairie habitat, which is often characterized by extreme seasonal changes. These birds are omnivorous, consuming a broad diet of plant material and insects that provides the specific nutritional components necessary for different stages of their life cycle. The harsh, dynamic environment of the open grasslands dictates a flexible foraging strategy, making their diet a complex mix of what is most abundant and accessible at any given time.
The Year-Round Diet: Adapting to Seasons
The prairie chicken’s diet strategy is governed by the two major periods of the year: the growing season and the dormant season. During the spring and summer growing season, the birds focus on foods that are high in protein and moisture to support breeding and growth. This period offers an abundance of new plant shoots and a high population of insects, which are consumed readily.
As the environment shifts into the dormant season of fall and winter, the diet must change to focus on stored energy. The birds seek out carbohydrate-rich foods that help them maintain body temperature and survive periods of scarcity. The ability to switch between protein-heavy and carbohydrate-heavy diets is a fundamental part of the prairie chicken’s ecological success.
Vegetation: The Core Food Source
Plant matter forms the base of the prairie chicken’s diet throughout the year. They consume the leaves, seeds, flowers, and shoots of numerous native forbs, grasses, and shrubs. Native grass seeds are a constant food source, providing energy.
When winter snow cover limits access to ground-level food, the birds forage for buds and leaves higher up, sometimes climbing into trees. Cultivated grains, such as waste corn, sorghum, millet, and wheat, found in agricultural fields, become important high-energy supplements in fall and winter. The seeds and foliage of native forbs, including yellow falsegarlic and ragweed, are also consumed.
During the spring, new growth provides fresh, green material that is a valuable source of moisture and nutrients. They occasionally consume fruits, such as rose hips and acorns, when available in their mixed habitat. This diverse foraging on vegetation ensures a steady supply of energy, especially when the insect population is low.
Essential Protein: Insects and Arthropods
Animal matter, primarily insects and other arthropods, plays a necessary role in the prairie chicken’s nutrition. Newly hatched chicks rely almost entirely on insects for the first several weeks of their lives. This high-protein diet is required for the rapid growth, feather development, and muscle formation.
The main insect prey consists of grasshoppers, beetles, and crickets, which are abundant in the open prairie during the warmer months. Adult birds also consume insects, especially during the spring and early summer breeding season. This protein boost supports the energy demands of molting and is important for females in the production of eggs. While adults can subsist on vegetation alone, the availability of insects during the summer significantly improves their overall health and reproductive success.