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Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix

 
 

In: Black Grouse   Ca: Gall de cua forcada   Da: Urfugl   De: Birkhuhn   Es: Gallo-lira común   Fi: teeri   Fr: Tétras lyre   It: Fagiano di monte   Nl: Korhoen   No: Orrfugl   Pt: Tetraz-lira   Sv: Orre   US: Black Grouse   Ru: Тетерев

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male
male

male
male		female
female		European distribution
European distribution
Males lekking
Males lekking		  

Identification

Male Black Grouse could only be confused with Capercaillies but they are smaller with forked tails and white wing bars. Females are more like Red Grouse but are bigger, greyer and have narrow white wing bars.

Habitat

Breeds and winters on heaths and moorland edges usually with birch scrub nearby.

Behaviour

Displaying Black Grouse are a joy to behold. Groups of male birds gather at dawn in certain open areas which become display arenas called leks. Each male competes with others by calling, posturing, chasing and even grappling in an attempt to occupy the central part of the lek. Males which win this contest are the ones chosen for copulation by females which arrive at the lek when they are fertile.

Migration

Most populations are sedentary but in Belgium birds have been shown to wander several kilometres and heavy snowfall may cause long-distance movements.

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.

show section BirdGuides rarity status: Local

hide section Most recent UK and Irish reports of Black Grouse

  21:46 19/06/08 Black Grouse Lancs Heysham   
  11:41 26/05/08 Black Grouse Derbys Beeley Moor   
  22:02 22/05/08 Black Grouse Derbys Beeley Moor 19:40 
  19:15 30/12/07 Black Grouse S Yorks Ewden   
Notable 10:15 07/05/07 Black Grouse Conwy Conwy RSPB 08:00 
  16:52 08/02/04 Black Grouse Cumbria Jockey Shield, Castle Carrock   
  18:47 30/01/04 Black Grouse Durham Westgate   
  18:24 15/12/03 Black Grouse Clwyd World's End 12:00 13/12/03 
  21:34 07/12/03 Black Grouse Clwyd World's End 14:30 
  15:11 20/08/03 Black Grouse Cumbria Jockey Shield, Castle Carrock   

hide section Most recent photos of Black Grouse (10)

show section European breeding populations (25)

show section Products featuring Black Grouse (10)

hide section External Links (1)

http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob3320.htm http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob3320.htm   BTO BirdFacts: Black GrouseEdit this link Edit this link
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hide section Articles (8)

Forestry Commission: New woods to take root in the northeast Forestry Commission: New woods to take root in the northeast Forestry Commission: New woods to take root in the northeastFriday 11th December 2009
Cash pledge is a boost for Black Grouse in the Northumberland National Park.  read on read on
RSPB: Mixed year for Black Grouse RSPB: Mixed year for Black Grouse RSPB: Mixed year for Black GrouseWednesday 28th January 2009
Whisky deal will help boost fortunes of one of UK's rarest birds.  read on read on
Action for nature in Scotland's woodlands Action for nature in Scotland's woodlands Action for nature in Scotland's woodlandsTuesday 26th August 2008
A new co-ordinated plan to improve habitat for Black Grouse and Capercaillie as well as butterflies and juniper.  read on read on
Free-riding Snow Sports, a Novel Serious Threat to Wildlife Free-riding Snow Sports, a Novel Serious Threat to Wildlife Free-riding Snow Sports, a Novel Serious Threat to WildlifeWednesday 7th March 2007
Research shows that trendy snow sports are threatening the survival of Alpine wildlife, particularly for species such as the Black Grouse.  read on read on
Can't see the grouse for the trees: New study to aid recovery plan for endangered species Can't see the grouse for the trees: New study to aid recovery plan for endangered species Can't see the grouse for the trees: New study to aid recovery plan for endangered speciesFriday 22nd December 2006
A direct link has been established for the first time between falling Black Grouse numbers and maturing commercial forestry plantations.  read on read on
Black Grouse in the Upper Derwent Valley – an Update  Black Grouse in the Upper Derwent Valley – an Update  Webzine subscribers onlyTuesday 21st March 2006
A project to re-introduce Black Grouse to the Upper Derwent Valley, in the heart of the Derbyshire Peak District, was started in October 2003. It is hoped that the project will result in the first wild-bred birds in the Valley for over 20 years.
Back from the Brink. No 2: Black Grouse Back from the Brink. No 2: Black Grouse Back from the Brink. No 2: Black GrouseTuesday 17th January 2006
The second of our articles based on a RSPB booklet charting the recovery of some of the UK's rarest breeding birds. Here we look at Black Grouse.  read on read on
Black Grouse return to the Upper Derwent Valley Black Grouse return to the Upper Derwent Valley Black Grouse return to the Upper Derwent ValleyWednesday 15th October 2003
The re-introduction of Black Grouse to the Upper Derwent Valley, in the heart of the Derbyshire Peak District, has begun; Matthew Capper outlines the project.  read on read on

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