The sage grouse communicates in many different ways. First, the male makes a booming sound sort of like this: ba-loomp ba-loomp! Second, the females make a cackling sound to scare away their predators. Third, when they are afraid, they chase away their predators. Finally, the males strut to attract females. To begin, the males will strut, spread their tail feathers, and puff out their throat sacs, showing off for the females. This is how they attract females to mate. Most of the females will mate with only a few of the most powerful males. This strutting behaviour happens on the leks or strutting grounds in the spring. The hens pass among the males until they enter the inner circle of six or so dominant males. The most powerful male is sometimes called the flockmaster and he mates with most of the hens.

This is photo of a male and female
sage grouse on the lek.

This is a drawing of a male sage grouse.