Prairie chickens live in tall grass coastal prairie.
The birds use long grasses for nesting and short grasses for courtship. They use both grasses for feeding. The primary threat to the continued survival of the prairie chicken is habitat loss due to the conversion of coastal prairie to agricultural fields and urban areas. Predation by birds such as owls and bobcats and disease outbreaks at captive breeding facilities are also threats to the prairie chicken. This grouse-sized bird performs a spectacular courtship dance on its western grassland habitat.