The sharp-tailed grouse is a relative of the prairie chickens. Indeed, all three species are in the genus Tympanuchus. The sharp-tailed grouse's species name is phasianellus, which refers to its similarity to the hen of the common pheasant species. In deed, Lewis and Clark claimed to have shot pheasants on their journey West.
However, they most obviously did not. Common pheasants are native to Asia and a little bit of Europe, although their native range includes a bit of Europe around the Caucasus. (Its scientific name, Phasianus colchicus, refers to its range in the Caucasus.)
The common pheasant was introduced in 1857 to North America. That was 51 years after Lewis and Clark. So the species they shot was the sharp-tailed grouse.
The sharp-tailed grouse is a relative of the prairie chickens. Indeed, all three species are in the genus Tympanuchus. The sharp-tailed grouse's species name is phasianellus, which refers to its similarity to the hen of the common pheasant species. In deed, Lewis and Clark claimed to have shot pheasants on their journey West.
ReplyDeleteHowever, they most obviously did not. Common pheasants are native to Asia and a little bit of Europe, although their native range includes a bit of Europe around the Caucasus. (Its scientific name, Phasianus colchicus, refers to its range in the Caucasus.)
The common pheasant was introduced in 1857 to North America. That was 51 years after Lewis and Clark. So the species they shot was the sharp-tailed grouse.