How to see Attwater's Prairie Chickens

Updated 20 January 2013.

Attwater's Prairie Chicken, Tympanuchus cupido attwateri, a resident of the coastal prairie of Texas, is one of the rarest birds in North America.  "A lack of suitable habitat is the biggest threat to the recovery of the Attwater's prairie chickens" (from nature.org).

Some Attwater's live in the wild at the Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge, in an area of the refuge not open to the public.  Contact the Friends of the Attwater Prairie Chicken Refuge (attwater.org) about volunteer opportunities and special tours. The Texas Ornithological Society had a field trip to the booming ground. 

They can also be seen at captive breeding facilities, although these are not open to the general public.  One of them, at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, has in the past sold "behind the scenes" tours which included the prairie chicken area.  Late April is probably a good time to see newly hatched chicks. 

Pictures of Attwater's Prairie Chickens are at joelsartore.com