Red Grouse

Lagopus lagopus scotica

This hardy gamebird thrives in the windswept heather moorlands of Scotland, Ireland and northern England, braving harsh weather year-round.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Red Grouse is a medium-sized game bird with a plump body and short, rounded wings. Males display a rich chestnut-brown plumage with black barring, a distinctive red 'eyebrow' comb, and a black beak.

Females are slightly smaller and more heavily barred, lacking the red comb. Both sexes have feathered legs and feet, appearing white in winter. Their plumage darkens in summer for better camouflage.

Juveniles are duller than females, with an indistinct brownish plumage. They do not have a visible eye comb.

Size

Length

37cm to 42cm

Wingspan

55cm to 66cm

Weight

550g to 750g

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Brown Red

Secondary Colour

Black White

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

White

Primary Colour (Female)

Brown

Secondary Colour (Female)

Black

Beak Colour (Female)

Black

Leg Colour (Female)

White

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Red Grouse is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Red Grouse is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Red Grouse is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Red Grouse is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Red Grouse is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Red Grouse is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Red Grouse can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Red Grouse is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Red Grouse is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Red Grouse is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Red Grouse can be found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Red Grouse is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Red Grouse are endemic to the British Isles, found exclusively in heather moorlands across Scotland, northern England, Wales, and Ireland. They prefer upland areas with a mix of young and mature heather for feeding and cover.

Their distribution remains relatively stable throughout the year, with some local movements to lower elevations during harsh winters. They are most abundant in Scotland, particularly in the Highlands and Islands.

In Wales, the top spotting locations include Snowdonia, Lake Vyrnwy, and the Brecon Beacons, while in Scotland, the best spots include the Lammermuir Hills and Borders regions and throughout the Cairngorms.

In England, several northern national parks offer a good chance of spotting Red Grouse, in particular the North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales, Peak District and Northumberland National Park.

Elevation Range

Up to 850 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subarctic

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Red 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