Pheasants and grouse · Gamebirds
Black Grouse
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Lyrurus tetrix
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How to recognize it
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Male black with green-purple gloss, red eyebrow wattles
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White wing patches and white undertail coverts
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Tail lyre-shaped, outer feathers curled outward
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Female mottled brown, with white wing patches and a notched tail
About the species
Black Grouse is easy to remember by the contrast: the male looks dark and glossy with a long lyre-shaped tail, while the female is plainly mottled and blends into grass and shrubs. On a walk, it is often noticed first by movement or voice rather than by appearance.
In spring, males gather at leks and put on a noisy display with bubbling calls, hissing sounds, and chases between rivals. At other times they are wary, usually keeping to themselves or small groups, running quickly on the ground and taking off steeply when alarmed.
It lives along edges, in open woodland, and in places where shrubs and trees meet more open ground. It feeds mostly on plant material, and in winter turns especially to birch buds and other tree shoots; in many areas it stays year-round.
Where to find
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Along the edges of mature birch groves and shelterbelts — early in the morning, males give a low bubbling call from the ground or from low branches.
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On riverbanks with willow thickets and tall grass — females with young feed close to the water and slip back into cover quickly.
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In clearings, vacant lots, and broad meadows beside scrub — in spring, males can be seen displaying on open ground, tails fanned and bodies bouncing up and down.
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In winter on birch trees in quiet outer-city parks — flocks perch high up and strip the buds from the upper branches.
You might also see
Sources
- eBird — Lyrurus tetrix Sightings map and full description on eBird
- Wikipedia — Black grouse Encyclopedia article