Utah sues federal government over plan to protect greater sage-grouse

Federal plan stops short of listing bird that once numbered in the millions as an endangered species but western state fears mining and agriculture will suffer

The greater sage-grouse, a bird best known for its flamboyant mating ritual, has become embroiled in a tussle over states' rights, with Utah suing the federal government over its protection of the threatened species.

Utah's lawsuit claims that a federal plan to protect the sage-grouse has "overthrown" the state's own work to safeguard the species and will prevent the state from using vast tracts of land for mining or agriculture. The greater sage-grouse is a ground-dwelling bird that has been described as resembling an "avant-garde turkey".