Illinois Audubon Society Greater Prairie-chicken Quiz

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Historically, the peak abundance of greater prairie-chickens occurred in Illinois between 1850 and 1860 when the birds resided on remnant prairies and the newly developing high-energy grain fields. How many birds were estimated to occur during this time frame?

7 million

18.0%

14 million

47.0%

25 million

34.9%

What year was the Illinois prairie-chicken population estimated to be 25,000 birds, stimulating a permanent hunting prohibition?

1933

27.5%

1943

25.6%

1959

46.9%

What is a group of prairie-chickens called?

Colony

41.1%

Pack

16.2%

Fleet

42.7%

Where was the first prairie-chicken refuge established in Illinois?

Prairie Ridge State Natural Area (Jasper and Marion counties)

60.6%

Green River State Wildlife Area (Lee County)

16.7%

Iroquois County State Wildlife Area

12.2%

Joliet Arsenal (Will County)

7.1%

Crabtree Forest Preserve (Cook County)

3.5%

What is not recognized as a major factor contributing to the recent decline of prairie-chickens in Illinois?

Hail

38.2%

Drought

16.8%

Extreme rainfall

12.8%

Lack of genetic diversity

12.2%

Nest parasitism by ring-necked pheasants

10.5%

Predators (skunks, coyotes, great horned owls)

9.5%

Greater prairie-chickens have an expandable yellow-orange throat skin or gular sac that males inflate during courtship, this special feature is indicated in the bird’s genus name. What is the name of that anatomical feature?

Panuchi

13.1%

Tympani

65.3%

Cupido

8.9%

Whooper

12.7%

What year was the prairie-chicken declared an Illinois endangered species?

1977

70.9%

1983

21.1%

1991

8.1%

What Eurasian grass species is most responsible for historically maintaining greater prairie chicken numbers in southeastern Illinois?

Fescue

25.7%

Little Bluestem

22.2%

Redtop

21.8%

Smooth Brome

20.8%

Kentucky Bluegrass

9.5%

Greater prairie chickens are lek breeders. Leks are often specific geographic positions that are situated in highly visible, open areas, that are characteristically elevated allowing for the males’ courtship presentations to be readily seen and heard by the attending females. What is another name for a greater prairie chicken’s lek site?

Dancing Ground

13.6%

Stomping Hill

10.4%

Cupid’s Mount

6.8%

Booming Ground

69.3%

Greater prairie chicken hens visit lek sites in early April and begin egg-laying immediately after mating on the lek. Hens nest in grassy cover on the ground, typically within a mile of the lek. What is the average clutch size and incubation time in Illinois?

8 eggs; 29 days

40.0%

12 eggs; 25 days

36.8%

15 eggs; 14 days

21.8%

25 eggs; 25 days

1.4%

Which Illinois Governor proclaimed March 15-21 as Prairie Chicken Week?

Jim Edgar (1994)

28.9%

James R. Thompson (1978)

47.9%

Richard Ogilive (1970)

23.2%

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