Occurrence of Greater Sage-Grouse × Sharp-Tailed Grouse Hybrids in Alberta

Abstract

Abstract Two distinct grouse were regularly observed at two Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) leks in both 1999 and 2000 in southeastern Alberta. Physically and behaviorally, the birds exhibited characteristics of both Greater Sage-Grouse and Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus), suggesting they were hybrids. DNA analyses of blood and feather samples indicated that both birds were males with Greater Sage-Grouse mothers and thus, fathers that were likely Sharp-tailed Grouse. Ocurrencia de Híbridos entre Centrocercus urophasianus y Tympanuchus phasianellus en Alberta Resumen. Dos aves distintivas fueron observadas con regularidad en dos asambleas de cortejo de Centrocercus urophasianus en el sureste de Alberta tanto en 1999 como en 2000. Las aves presentaban características físicas y de comportamiento tanto de C. urophasianus como de Tympanuchus phasianellus, lo que sugiere que se trataba de individuos híbridos. Análisis de ADN extraído de muestras de sangre y plumas indicaron que ambos individuos eran machos hijos de hembras de C. urophasianus. Por tanto, sus padres probablemente eran T. phasianellus.