8-02-15

A.k.a. sage hen. Centrocercus urophasianus . A characteristic species of the sagebrush biome of western North America. Its numbers have declined drastically, largely due to habitat destruction. From personal experience, it's also dumb even by the standards of gallinaceous birds! Sometimes you practically have to kick them out of the way. This is a female, as shown by the dull plumage. The males have prominent crests and white patches on the chest. In Lake Tahoe Nevada state park, off the trail to Marlette Lake.