Lyrurus tetrix
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Mass
~1 kg
Habitat
Forests
Diet
Plants and grasses
How to recognize it
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.
Quick Facts
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.
