About > Book Proposal
The dances of grassland grouses, from the impressive courtship dance of Prairie Chickens to the bizarre behaviors of Sage Grouses, are known to nature lovers as one of the most impressive wildlife displays in North America.
Sadly, once found throughout North American prairies, these extraordinary birds are now dramatically down in number.
The problem is that the public nowadays hardly knows they exist. Matt Williams, an expert on the grouse, says, “It would help if they were named something else. People can’t understand why you’d want to save a bunch of chickens.”
Focusing on their captivating mating display, this book will demonstrate the life, the beauty, and the current stand of all prairie grouses.
This book will be unique and insightful with many images that have never been captured before.
It will not only tell the story of these birds’ habits and behaviors, but also convey a sense of why these species are worth caring about, why they are threatened and what is being done about it.
Book Outline
Chapter 1, Grouses, Icon of North American Prairie
- Introduction of North American prairie land & how grassland grouses are related but different (Greater Prairie Chickens, Lesser Prairie Chickens, Attwater’s Prairie Chickens, Heath Hen (extinct), Sage Grouse, Sharp-tailed grouse, and Gunnison Sage Grouses)
Chapter 2, Spring Dance of Grassland Grouses
(Click each title below to view sample images)
- Greater Prairie Chickens
- Lesser Prairie Chickens
- Attwater’s Prairie Chickens
- Sharp-tailed Grouses
- Sage Grouses
- Gunnison Sage Grouses
Chapter 3, Hope for the Future (Click to view sample images)
- Loss of habitat & natural dangers
- Conservation works: Attwater’s prairie chicken captive program (Fossile Rim), prairie restoration, prairie chicken re-introduction program in Missouri
- What needs to be done more: public support, public education
Mock-up Book
Click HERE to view a mock-up book