Robo-Birds Court Real Sage-Grouse in Wyoming

Grand Teton National Park is employing an innovative conservation tactic to address the alarming decline of its greater sage-grouse population. Lifelike robotic greater sage-grouse have been deployed to mimic courtship dances, chest-puffing, and mating calls. The objective is to lure real birds to restored breeding grounds, steering them away from the Jackson Hole Airport, where habitat degradation and aircraft activity have significantly impacted their numbers.

This initiative aims to recreate the visual and auditory cues of an active breeding site. Conservationists hope these robotic decoys will encourage mating and gradually rebuild the critically declining local population. The greater sage-grouse has faced a sharp decline across the western United States, with only three displaying males recorded at one park breeding site during the 2025 breeding season.

Decades of habitat degradation, including historical cattle grazing, have damaged the sagebrush ecosystem essential for the birds. Furthermore, the Jackson Hole Airport's operations disturb breeding birds and have led to bird strikes. The restored habitat, spanning nearly 100 acres, has seen native plants replanted and invasive vegetation removed.

The robotic decoys were developed by a high school robotics team in partnership with park officials and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Some robots are stationary, while others move and emit recorded mating calls to simulate a thriving lek. This experimental project is being monitored via trail cameras and field surveys throughout the breeding season, which concludes mid-May.

If successful, this project could offer a model for integrating robotics and habitat restoration for vulnerable wildlife. It highlights the convergence of technology, community involvement, and conservation science in addressing the challenges facing wildlife in the American West.