Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming has turned to an unusual conservation strategy to save one of its fastest-declining bird populations: robot birds. Park officials and wildlife experts have deployed lifelike robotic greater sage-grouse that mimic the species’ elaborate courtship dances, puff out their chests and broadcast recorded mating calls in an effort to attract real birds to restored breeding grounds. The initiative aims to lure sage-grouse away from the nearby Jackson Hole Airport, where decades of habitat degradation and aircraft activity have contributed to a dramatic decline in their numbers. By recreating the sights and sounds of an active breeding site, conservationists hope the innovative decoys will encourage mating and gradually rebuild the park’s critically declining local population.
Why is Grand Teton using robot birds?
The greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) has experienced a sharp decline across much of the western United States over the past century. While the species is not federally listed as endangered, its local population in Grand Teton National Park has reached alarmingly low levels. At one of the park’s breeding grounds, known as a lek, wildlife officials recorded only three displaying male sage-grouse during the 2025 breeding season. Conservationists believe attracting birds to a newly restored breeding site could help reverse the decline before the local population disappears altogether.
Habitat loss and airport activity drove the decline
The birds’ decline is linked to years of habitat degradation and increasing human activity. Historically, cattle grazing damaged the native sagebrush ecosystem that sage-grouse depend on for food, nesting and protection from predators. Although grazing ended decades ago, the landscape has been slow to recover.The nearby Jackson Hole Airport, the only commercial airport located inside a US national park, has added further pressure. Aircraft movements disturb breeding birds during the critical mating season, while bird strikes have killed several sage-grouse over the years. Conservationists hope relocating breeding activity farther from the airport will improve the birds’ chances of survival.
How do robotic sage-grouses work?
The robotic decoys were designed by the RoboBroncs, Jackson Hole High School’s robotics team, in partnership with Grand Teton National Park and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Built using recycled materials such as packing foam, fabric and blankets, the models are fitted with real sage-grouse tail feathers to make them more convincing.Some of the robots remain stationary, while others mimic the movements of displaying males by rotating, spreading their tails and inflating chest sacs. Hidden speakers nearby play recorded sage-grouse mating calls from around 5 a.m., when the birds naturally begin their courtship displays. Together, the moving decoys and sounds are designed to make the restored habitat appear like an active breeding ground.
What is a lek and why does it matter?
A lek is a traditional breeding site where male sage-grouse gather each spring to compete for females. They perform elaborate courtship rituals by fanning their pointed tails, puffing up bright yellow air sacs on their chests and producing distinctive popping sounds. Females visit these sites to choose mates before nesting nearby.Because sage-grouse often return to the same leks year after year, establishing a successful breeding ground is essential for rebuilding local populations. Conservationists hope the robotic displays will persuade birds to adopt the restored site and eventually make it a permanent breeding location.
Restoring habitat is only half the challenge
Over the past eight years, park staff, community organisations and volunteers have restored nearly 100 acres of habitat near the airport. Native sagebrush and other plants have been replanted, invasive vegetation removed and breeding areas carefully managed to provide ideal conditions for sage-grouse.However, experts say restoring suitable habitat alone does not guarantee birds will return. Wildlife often relies on social cues to determine whether an area is safe and suitable for breeding. The robotic decoys are intended to provide those missing signals by simulating an already active lek.
Scientists will monitor whether the experiment succeeds
The project remains an ongoing conservation experiment, with trail cameras and field surveys tracking bird activity throughout the breeding season, which usually continues until mid-May. Researchers will be looking for signs that wild sage-grouse begin displaying, mating and nesting at the restored site.If successful, the project could provide a blueprint for combining habitat restoration with robotics to support vulnerable wildlife populations. While the outcome remains uncertain, the effort highlights how technology, community partnerships and conservation science are coming together to tackle one of the biggest challenges facing wildlife in the American West.
