Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming has adopted an unusual conservation strategy to save one of its fastest-dwindling bird populations: robot birds. Park officials and wildlife experts have deployed lifelike robot greater sage-grouse that mimic the species’ elaborate courtship dances, puffing out their chests and broadcasting recorded mating calls in an effort to attract the real birds to restored breeding sites. The initiative aims to move sage-grouse away from 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 severely depleted local population.
Why is Grand Teton using robot birds?
Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urofascianus) have experienced a sharp decline in numbers across much of the western United States over the past century. Although this species is not federally listed as endangered, its local population in Grand Teton National Park has reached alarmingly low levels. In one of the park’s breeding grounds, known as The Lake, wildlife officials recorded only three male sage-grouse showing up during the 2025 breeding season. Conservationists believe that attracting birds to newly restored breeding sites could help halt the decline before local populations disappear completely.
Habitat loss and decline in airport activity
The decline of the birds is linked to years of habitat degradation and increasing human activity. Historically, cattle grazing damaged the native sagebrush ecosystem on which sage-grouse depend for food, nesting, and protection from predators. Although grazing ended decades ago, recovery across the landscape has been slow.Nearby Jackson Hole Airport, the only commercial airport located inside a US national park, added further pressure. Aircraft activity during the important mating season interferes with breeding birds, while many sage-grouse have died from bird strikes over the years. Conservationists hope that shifting breeding activity away from the airport will improve the birds’ chances of survival.
How do robotic sage-grouse work?
The robotic decoy was designed by RoboBronx, Jackson Hole High School’s robotics team, in partnership with Grand Teton National Park and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Constructed using recycled materials such as packing foam, fabric and blankets, the models are equipped with real sage-grouse tail feathers to make them even more believable.Some robots remain stationary, while others rotate, mimicking the movements males display by spreading their tails and inflating their chest sacs. Hidden speakers nearby record sage-grouse mating calls from about 5 a.m., when the birds naturally begin their courtship display. Together, dynamic decoys and sounds are designed to make the restored habitat appear like an active breeding site.
What is a leak and why does it matter?
The lake is a traditional breeding site where male sage-grouse gather every spring to compete for females. They perform elaborate courtship rituals by fanning their spiked tails, inflating bright yellow air sacs on their chests, and producing distinctive popping sounds. Females visit these sites to select mates before building a nest nearby.Because sage-grouse often return to the same leks year after year, establishing a successful breeding site is essential to rebuilding local populations. Conservationists hope the robotic demonstrations will inspire 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 organizations, and volunteers have restored approximately 100 acres of habitat near the airport. Native sagebrush and other plants have been replanted, invasive vegetation has been removed and breeding areas have been carefully managed to provide ideal conditions for sage-grouse.However, experts say that simply restoring suitable habitat does not guarantee that the birds will return. Wildlife often rely on social cues to determine whether an area is safe and suitable for breeding. Robotic decoys aim to provide those missing signals by simulating an already active leak.
Scientists will keep an eye on whether the experiment is successful or not.
The project remains an ongoing conservation experiment, with trail cameras and field surveys tracking the birds’ activity throughout the breeding season, which typically continues until mid-May. Researchers will look for signs that wild sage-grouse begin to display, mate, and nest at the restored site.If successful, the project could provide a blueprint for combining habitat restoration with robotics to support vulnerable wildlife populations. Although the outcome remains uncertain, this effort highlights how technology, community involvement, and conservation science are coming together to tackle one of the greatest challenges facing wildlife in the American West.