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

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

Primary Colour

Black Blue

Secondary Colour

White Red

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Brown

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

Garden

Wetland

Coastal

Urban

Farmland

Grassland

Desert

Tundra

Rainforest

Mountain

Savanna

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

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Resident
Breeding
Non-breeding
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

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Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 75
Strength 60
Adaptability 80
Aggressiveness 65
Endurance 70

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.

Lifespan

Typical Lifespan Range 3 - 5 years
Max Recorded Lifespan 12.2 years [1]
0
4
7
11
14

years

The Black Grouse typically lives for 3 to 5 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 12.2 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [2]

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 [3]

Global Population Trend

Decreasing[4]

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

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.

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References

  1. 3

    website, 2015: BirdLife International

    View source
  2. 2 4

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

    View source
  3. 1

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

    View source