Prairie chickens moved ahead of settlers to inhabit the prairies of Minnesota, and a large concentration of this protected bird can still be seen on prairie meadows around Rothsay, known as the Prairie Chicken capital of the world because of concerted efforts to preserve prairie and grassland. These nonmigratory, territorial birds are especially noted for the male's early spring mating ritual called booming, when he spreads his wings and tail feathers, inflates orange wind sacs, struts, and makes the booming sound. Rothsay was designated Prairie Chicken Capital of Minnesota on June 10, 1975.