Subject: Lesser Prairie Chicken, Tympanuchus pallidicinctus, male in profile, erecting the pinnae or “ear feathers.”

Location: Mescalero Sands, Chaves County, New Mexico

Stock Number: 06-24536

Comment: This male Prairie Chicken is erecting his pinnae, or “ear feathers.” When not erected, these feathers hang alongside his neck.

The photo was taken at dawn. When the sun comes up on the lek it reveals Prairie Chickens already displaying. The birds also display at nightfall, and on cloudy days in the peak of the mating season they may display all day long.

For other Prairie Chicken photos, see the links below.