Environmentalists are taking the federal government to court over what they say is Ottawa’s tardiness to designate critical habitat for the endangered greater sage grouse, a ground-dwelling prairie bird known for its impressive mating dances.

According to Susan Pinkus of Ecojustice Canada, the government has chosen to ignore information that would lead to the birds being endangered.

“Without designated, protected habitat it is on a trajectory to disappear from Alberta within five years,” she says.

Under the Species at Risk Act, once a species is listed, the government is required to develop a recovery strategy, including critical habitat.

The federal environment minister declined to comment because the matter is before the courts.