Willow Grouse Lagopus lagopus

male summer

male summer male winter female summer European distribution

Identification

The Red Grouse is bigger than any partridge with a much darker, richer red-brown plumage, especially in the males. They fly with fast whirring wings then long glides with the wings held stiffly bowed and often with the head held up. The corners of the tail are black, not rufous as in partridges.

Habitat

Resident on upland heather moors. A good grouse territory needs both old deep heather, in which to nest, and young heather producing lots of fresh growth on which to feed. Planned burning of heather moors by gamekeepers ensures that the area always has a patchwork of these habitat types so the grouse can both feed and breed successfully, even in small territories. This enables them to reach unnaturally high densities on managed moorland. If it wasn't for this regular burning, the areas of old heather would be invaded by birch scrub and the moorlands would degenerate to pretty dull woodland.

Behaviour

During their displays, the male grouse will strut around the territories with his neck stretched, his wattle raised and throat feathers fluffed out. Such birds will often call, but the full territorial cry is more typically given in flight when the males skim low over the ground then throw their heads up calling, as they glide before fluttering to a halt.

Migration

Sedentary.

This information is taken from the BirdFile on the appropriate BirdGuides DVD-ROM. As well as video and sounds, our CD- and DVD-ROMs contain additional text on Voice, Sexing, Ageing, Food, Nests and Eggs and more.

For the purposes of our bird news services, Willow Grouse is classed as ungraded: species which are unlikely to appear as wild birds in Britain or Ireland (Note that rarity levels are currently applied nationally and may not reflect local variations in abundance.)

Kuusamo, Itä-Suomen Lääni (Eastern Finland), Finland 21/05/2008

Hardangervidda, Hordaland, Norway 02/05/2008

Kuusamo, Oulun Lääni (Oulu), Finland 27/05/2007

Nr Batsfjord, Norway 16/05/2005

 View all pictures of Willow Grouse

Willow Grouse breeds in the following countries (Bird News Extra subscribers will see population statistics and information on trends for each country):

Belarus
Britain
Estonia
Finland
Ireland
Latvia
Lithuania
Norway
Russia
Sweden

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