Robot Birds Deployed to Attract Real Sage Grouse in Wyoming Park

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Robotic bird decoys are being deployed at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming to influence the behavior of real sage grouse and help restore a declining population. The robots, built by a team of high school students under the guidance of robotics mentor Gary Duquette, are designed to mimic the appearance and sounds of sage grouse in order to lure the real birds back to restored lek sites.

Why it matters

Sage grouse populations have been declining in the western United States due to habitat loss and other factors. By using robotic decoys to attract the birds back to specific areas, park officials hope to aid in the restoration of the sage grouse population in Grand Teton National Park. The project also provides valuable real-world experience for the high school students involved in building the robots.

The details

The robotic birds, which Duquette describes as "kind of a Frankenbird," are equipped with recorded breeding calls that play starting at 5 a.m. each day. The robots feature 3D-printed heads, wings from hunter surveys, and body feathers from fly-tying supplies. Packaging foam is used to replicate the white breast feathers, and yellow air sacs are added for authenticity. The team had to overcome some initial challenges, such as servo motors burning out due to spikes in electric current, but were able to resolve the issues in time for the breeding season.

• The breeding season for sage grouse runs through mid-May 2026.
• Researchers are using trail cameras to track whether real sage grouse respond to the robotic displays during this year's breeding season.

What’s next

If the robotic decoys are successful in attracting real sage grouse during this year's breeding season, officials say similar robotic systems could eventually be used in other national parks facing wildlife management challenges.