prairie chicken

American  

[prair-ee chik-uhn] / ˈprɛər i ˌtʃɪk ən /

noun

1. either of two North American gallinaceous birds of western prairies, Tympanuchus cupido greater prairie chicken, or T. pallidicinctus lesser prairie chicken, having brown, black, white, and rufous plumage: both species, once abundant, have diminished greatly in number and are classified as vulnerable.

2. sharp-tailed grouse.

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prairie chicken British  

noun

1. either of two mottled brown-and-white grouse, Tympanuchus cupido or T. pallidicinctus, of North America

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Etymology

Origin of prairie chicken

An Americanism dating back to 1685–95

Example Sentences

The lesser prairie chicken is the only grassland bird federally listed as endangered, but only in part of its range.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 25, 2023

Burd also expressed excitement that the Attwater's greater prairie chicken is on the new list.

From Salon • Jun. 26, 2023

Clay Nichols, the lesser prairie chicken coordinator with the U.S.

From New York Times • Nov. 17, 2022

This behavior is observed in several bird species including the sage grouse and the prairie chicken.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Wild ducks, geese, and swans haunt the lakes and rivers, while on the prairies are flocks of prairie chicken.

From Canada West by Canada. Dept. of the interior