Page 151 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

GAMEBIRDS
Order Galliformes Family Tetraonidae Species Tetrao tetrix
Black Grouse blue sheen
on neck
undertail feathers bold white
elongated shape raised in display shoulder spot
broad white
wingbar
curved, broad-
tipped outer
MALE feathers
on tail
fine pale bar
on mid-brown glossy
slightly wings black
notched white patch plumage
tail under tail large, heavy,
FEMALE cockerel-like
IN FLIGHT body

dark-barred,
yellow-brown
or grey plumage
FEMALE MALE
large grouse of moorland edges and forest clearings, the Black
AGrouse has declined over most of its European range.At the leks
(the spring display sites), the males display with mock fights, to FLIGHT: strong, often high, direct, over long
impress the reclusive females that watch from hidden vantage points distances with regular wingbeats; occasional glides.
nearby.They are subject to disturbance at leks, and the males usually
fly off at long range if approached.
VOICE Female has gruff bark;
displaying male has far-carrying, dove-
like, rolling coo with regular rhythm
and explosive “sneeze”.
NESTING Hollow on ground beneath
heather or bracken, with little or no
lining; 6–10 eggs; 1 brood;April–July.
FEEDING Wide variety of seeds,
berries, buds, shoots, leaves, and DRAMATIC MALE COURTSHIP DISPLAY
flowers of many shrubs, sedges, and Males on open ground are easily In spring, males gather at dawn in open places to
trees; chicks eat insects. visible at great distances. display with drooped wings and lyre-shaped tails.
SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRENCE
Widespread in N and W Britain,
round larger RED GROUSE 2 Scandinavia, Alps, and NE Europe,
tail similar to 2;
see p.146 very local in Low Countries with
3 long-term decline. Varied habitats
including woodland, pastures,
heaths, moors, or new plantations
CAPERCAILLIE on heather moor.
32; 3bigger, blacker
more rufous; wings Seen in the UK
see p.148 and tail J F M A M JJ A S O N D
Length 40–55cm (16–22in) Wingspan 65–80cm (26–32in) Weight 0.75–1.4kg (1 3 ⁄4 –3lb)
Social Flocks Lifespan Up to 5 years Status Vulnerable
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