How do male grouse use leks during courtship?

In many galliform species, particularly among grouse, males utilize a communal assembly area known as a lek to perform courtship displays.1

Within these arenas, which are located outside of nesting territories and reused annually, the following behaviors occur:

• Individual Territories: Each male, sometimes numbering in the dozens, maintains his own specific space within the lek.1
• Displaying: Males strut and posture, often producing unique calls—sometimes aided by specialized esophageal air sacs—to attract females.1
• Female Selection: Females visit the lek to observe and compare the males before selecting a mate for copulation.21
• Dominance: Dominant males typically occupy the central positions of the arena and are more likely to copulate with multiple females.1

It is important to note that not all grouse species use this method; for example, the ruffed grouse displays in isolation rather than in a communal lek. Unlike species that form lasting pair bonds, grouse that utilize leks do not form pair bonds with the females they mate with.12