prairie chicken
Americannoun
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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.
noun
Etymology
Origin of prairie chicken
An Americanism dating back to 1685–95
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
A little smaller and lighter in color than the greater prairie chicken, the lesser prairie chicken is known for spring courtship rituals that include flamboyant dances by the males and a cacophony of clucking.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 25, 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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
