Western Capercaillie
Tetrao urogallus
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Western Capercaillie is a large, ground-dwelling grouse with striking sexual dimorphism. Males are predominantly black with a glossy blue-green sheen on the chest, a distinctive red eyebrow, and a large, fan-shaped tail. On the chin and throat area, spiky black feathers give the appearance of a beard.
Females are significantly smaller and sport mottled brown plumage with barring, providing excellent camouflage. Both sexes have feathered legs and feet, an adaptation to their cold habitat, and short, thick, hooked bills.
Size
Length
60cm to 87cm
Wingspan
87cm to 125cm
Weight
1.5kg to 6.5kg
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Western Capercaillies inhabit boreal and montane coniferous forests across Eurasia, from Scotland and Scandinavia to eastern Siberia. They prefer mature forests with a diverse understory and open areas for lekking.
In the UK, they are now restricted to the Scottish Highlands, where reintroduction efforts have had limited success. Their range has contracted significantly due to habitat loss and fragmentation.
Elevation Range
Up to 2,000 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subarctic
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Western Capercaillie. 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
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird 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.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Western Capercaillie displays moderate agility. Whilst they are ground-dwelling birds, they can navigate through dense forest undergrowth and roost in trees, indicating a fair level of manoeuvrability. However, their large size, particularly in males, may somewhat limit their agility compared to smaller bird species.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
As the largest member of the grouse family, the Western Capercaillie possesses considerable strength. Males, weighing up to 6.5 kg, demonstrate impressive power during their courtship displays. Their ability to process tough plant material, such as conifer needles, also suggests strong digestive capabilities.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Western Capercaillies show good adaptability in their diet, switching between conifer needles in winter and a variety of plant matter and insects in summer. They can inhabit various coniferous forest types across a wide range of elevations. However, their specific habitat requirements and sensitivity to disturbance slightly limit their overall adaptability.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Male Western Capercaillies exhibit aggressive behaviour during the breeding season, competing with other males at leks. However, outside of this period, they are generally not overly aggressive. Their shy nature and tendency to avoid human disturbance suggest a moderate aggression rating.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
These birds demonstrate good endurance, surviving harsh winter conditions in boreal and montane forests. Their ability to subsist on low-nutrient conifer needles for extended periods indicates strong physiological endurance. Additionally, their size and the energy required for males' elaborate courtship displays suggest a robust endurance capacity.
Diet
Western Capercaillies have a varied diet that changes seasonally. In winter, they primarily feed on conifer needles, especially pine. During spring and summer, they consume leaves, buds, berries, and insects.
Their specialised digestive system allows them to process tough plant material efficiently.
Behaviour
Western Capercaillies are known for their elaborate courtship displays. Males perform a complex ritual on traditional leks, fanning their tails and making distinctive clicking and popping sounds.
They are generally solitary outside the breeding season, foraging on the ground and roosting in trees at night.
Vocalisation
Male Western Capercaillies produce a series of distinctive sounds during their courtship display. This includes a loud 'pop' or 'cork' sound, followed by a scraping noise often described as 'crushing gravel'. Females make soft clucking calls. Both sexes may produce alarm calls when disturbed.
Nesting & Breeding
The breeding season for Western Capercaillies begins in late March to early April. Males gather at traditional lekking sites to perform elaborate courtship displays, competing for female attention.
Females construct simple ground nests in dense vegetation, often at the base of a tree. They typically lay 6-8 pale yellow or buff-coloured eggs with brown spots. The nest is a shallow scrape lined with plant material and feathers.
Incubation lasts about 26-29 days, carried out solely by the female. Chicks are precocial and can leave the nest shortly after hatching, staying with the hen for several months.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While globally listed as Least Concern, Western Capercaillies face regional declines due to habitat loss and fragmentation.
In the UK, they are critically endangered, with conservation efforts focused on habitat management and predator control in Scotland.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Western Capercaillies in mature coniferous forests, especially those with a mix of pine and spruce.
- Listen for the distinctive 'cork-popping' sound of males during the spring breeding season.
- Be patient and quiet; these birds are shy and easily disturbed.
- In the UK, focus on the Scottish Highlands, where small populations persist.
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Wood Grouse, Capercaillie
Family:
PhasianidaeAverage Lifespan
6 years
Max Lifespan
18 years [4]
Predators
Did You Know?
- The Western Capercaillie is the largest member of the grouse family.
- Males can weigh up to four times more than females, one of the most extreme size differences in birds.
- Their scientific name, Tetrao urogallus, means 'tail-cock' in Greek, referring to their impressive tail display.
Similar Birds
References
- 1 2
website: BirdLife International. 2016. Tetrao urogallus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22679487A85942729.
View source - 3
report, 2002: Madge and McGowan
- 4
website, 2000: Carey and Judge, Longevity Records: Life Spans of Mammals, Birds, Amphibians, Reptiles, and Fish
View source
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