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Black Grouse

Lyrurus tetrix

Least Concern
A feisty forest dweller, the Black Grouse puts on one of nature's most dramatic mating displays across Europe and Asia.
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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Black Grouse exhibits striking sexual dimorphism. Males, known as blackcocks, boast glossy blue-black plumage with white wing bars and undertail coverts. Their most distinctive feature is the lyre-shaped tail, which fans out during displays.

Females, called greyhens, are mottled brown with black barring, providing excellent camouflage. Both sexes have a red wattle above the eye, more prominent in males, especially during the breeding season.

Size

Length

40cm to 55cm

Wingspan

65cm to 80cm

Weight

750g to 1.4kg

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Black Blue

Secondary Colour

White Red

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Brown

Primary Colour (Female)

Brown

Secondary Colour (Female)

Buff Black

Beak Colour (Female)

Black

Leg Colour (Female)

Brown

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Black Grouse can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Black Grouse is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Black Grouse is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Black Grouse is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Black Grouse is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Black Grouse is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Black Grouse can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Black Grouse is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Black Grouse is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Black Grouse is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Black Grouse can be found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Black Grouse is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Black Grouse inhabit a range of habitats, including boreal and temperate forests, moorlands, and alpine meadows across Eurasia. They prefer areas with a mix of open ground for lekking and feeding and dense vegetation for cover.

In the UK, they are found primarily in Scotland and northern England, with small populations in Wales. Their range extends eastward through Scandinavia, Russia, and parts of central Europe to eastern Siberia.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 2,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subarctic

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Black Grouse. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
  • Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
  • This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

  • More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
  • How birds move around during different seasons
© 2024 - Birdfact
Resident
Breeding
Non-breeding
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year
Austria Belarus Belgium Czech Republic Estonia Finland France Greece Italy Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Netherlands Romania Russia Slovakia Slovenia Sweden Switzerland The United Kingdom Ukraine
Species that are present in the area during their breeding season
Albania Canada China Germany Luxembourg Mongolia Norway Poland Russia United States of America
Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season
Spain
Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range
Bosnia and Herzegovina Denmark Faroe Islands Macedonia South Korea

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Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:
  • Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
  • Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
  • Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
  • Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
  • Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

  • 0-20: Very Low
  • 21-40: Low
  • 41-60: Average
  • 61-80: High
  • 81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 75

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Black Grouse demonstrates considerable agility, particularly during its elaborate mating displays. Males perform intricate strutting and wing-flapping routines, showcasing their dexterity. Their ability to navigate through varied terrain, from woodlands to moorlands, also indicates good agility.

Strength 60

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Whilst not exceptionally strong, the Black Grouse possesses moderate strength. Males, weighing up to 1400g, can engage in physical contests during lekking. Their ability to survive harsh winter conditions and dig snow burrows for insulation suggests a decent level of strength.

Adaptability 80

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Black Grouse exhibit high adaptability, thriving in diverse habitats from sea level to 2,000 metres elevation. Their seasonal diet shifts and ability to cope with varying climates, from temperate to subarctic, demonstrate impressive adaptability to changing environmental conditions.

Aggressiveness 65

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

During the breeding season, male Black Grouse display moderate aggression, competing for mates at lek sites. However, outside this period, they are generally shy and secretive. The species' overall aggression is tempered by their cautious nature when not engaged in courtship rituals.

Endurance 70

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Black Grouse show good endurance, surviving in challenging environments and harsh winter conditions. Their ability to perform energetic displays during breeding season and forage extensively for varied food sources indicates solid stamina. However, their relatively short lifespan of 3-5 years suggests some limitations to their overall endurance.

Diet

Black Grouse have a varied diet that changes seasonally. In spring and summer, they feed on insects, leaves, and shoots. They switch to berries, seeds, and buds during autumn and winter.

They are particularly fond of birch and pine buds, which form a significant part of their winter diet.

Behaviour

Black Grouse are famous for their 'lekking' behavior, where males gather at traditional sites to perform elaborate courtship displays. These displays involve strutting, wing-flapping, and making distinctive bubbling and cooing sounds.

They are generally shy and secretive outside the breeding season, often feeding in small groups.

Vocalisation

Male Black Grouse produce a variety of sounds during lekking, including a distinctive bubbling or 'rookooing' call that can be heard from a distance. This is often accompanied by softer cooing and hissing noises. Females make quiet clucking sounds, particularly when with chicks.

Nesting & Breeding

The breeding season for Black Grouse begins in early spring, typically March to May. Males gather at traditional lek sites to display and compete for females.

Females construct a shallow scrape on the ground, usually well-hidden in dense vegetation. They lay 6-11 eggs, which are pale yellow with reddish-brown spots.

Incubation lasts about 25 days and is carried out solely by the female. The chicks are precocial and can leave the nest shortly after hatching but remain with the hen for several months.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

While listed as Least Concern globally, Black Grouse populations have declined in many parts of their range due to habitat loss and fragmentation.

Conservation efforts focus on maintaining and restoring suitable habitats, particularly in the UK, where it is a priority species for conservation action.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

8,000,000 - 14,000,000 mature individuals [2]

Global Population Trend

[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

  • Visit known lek sites during early spring mornings for the best chance to observe mating displays.
  • Look for Black Grouse in areas where woodland meets moorland or heather.
  • Listen for the distinctive bubbling call of males during the breeding season.
  • Use binoculars to spot the white undertail coverts of males in flight.

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Blackcock, Blackgame, Eurasian Black Grouse, Northern Black Grouse

Family:

Phasianidae

Average Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Max Lifespan

12.2 years [4]

Predators

Main predators include foxes, pine martens, and birds of prey such as Golden Eagles and Goshawks. Chicks are also vulnerable to corvids and stoats.

Did You Know?

  1. Black Grouse can survive harsh winter conditions by burrowing into snow for insulation.
  2. Their scientific name, 'Lyrurus tetrix', refers to the male's lyre-shaped tail.
  3. In some cultures, Black Grouse feathers were traditionally used in ceremonial headdresses.

References

  1. 2

    website, 2015: BirdLife International

    View source
  2. 1 3

    website: BirdLife International. 2016. Lyrurus tetrix. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22679480A85944601.

    View source
  3. 4

    website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds

    View source

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