REPRODUCTION AND HABITAT USE BY SAGE GROUSE (Centrocercus urophasianus) IN A NORTHERN FRINGE POPULATION

.......................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................ iv TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................. viii LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................... xi LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................ xii GENERAL INTRODUCTION............................................................................ 1 CHAPTER 1. STATUS OF SAGE GROUSE IN CANADA ........................ 3 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................. 4 DISTRIBUTION................................................................................................. 8 PROTECTION.................................................................................................... 9 Federal ............................................................................................................ 9 British Columbia ............................................................................................. 9 Saskatchewan................................................................................................ 10 Alberta........................................................................................................... 10 POPULATION SIZE AND TRENDS .............................................................. 11 Between Year Trends .................................................................................... 12 Seasonal Lek Attendance .............................................................................. 17 HABITAT......................................................................................................... 20 Leks............................................................................................................... 20 Nesting Areas ................................................................................................ 20 Brood Rearing............................................................................................... 21 Wintering Habitat ......................................................................................... 22