05/31/2026
Sage grouse eggs are now beginning to hatch so we thought weâd share some nest facts with you!
Female sage grouse build their nests directly on the ground, usually tucked beneath sagebrush for concealment and protection from predators and weather.
The male plays no role in nesting or raising chicks. After mating on the lek in spring, hens choose nest sites and raise broods without male help. However, emerging research suggests sage grouse hens brood together to raise their hatchlings as a group.
In Wyoming, peak nesting is often May.
A typical clutch is size is 6-9 eggs but occasionally more. The eggs are olive-tan with brown speckling, helping camouflage them against the dirt and sage. The hen incubates eggs for about 25-29 days only leaving briefly to feed.
Nest survival can be low because of coyotes, ravens, badgers, skunks, harsh spring weather, and habitat fragmentation. Thatâs one reason intact sagebrush habitat is so critical for the species.
When chicks hatch they can walk almost immediately and will leave the nest within hours. They will begin feeding themselves on insects. The hen guides and protects them but doesnât feed them directly.
Hens often return to nest near the same general area year after year if habitat conditions remain good.
A well-hidden sage grouse nest can be nearly impossible to spot.
âïžIMPORTANT NOTE â Legal/Ethical Consideration:
This photo was captured at max zoom on our camera. It has been edited for sharpness and clarity. If you are fortunate enough to come across a clutch please do not interfere with it in any way. Sage grouse are a species of conservation concern in Wyoming and across the West. Disturbing a nest is illegal under many state and federal guidelines if eggs are damaged or the nest is abandoned due to human interference.
