Black Grouse

The Black Grouse shows striking sexual dimorphism. Males, known as blackcocks, are glossy blue-black with a distinctive lyre-shaped tail that curls outward, bright red wattles above the eye, and white wing-bars and undertail coverts visible in flight or display. Females, called greyhens, are much less conspicuous, mottled brown and buff overall, larger than Red Grouse females but smaller than male Black Grouse.

The species is best known for its dramatic communal courtship display, or "lek", in which males gather at traditional sites at dawn to strut, fan their tails, and spar for the attention of watching females.

Key field marks

• Male: glossy blue-black plumage, lyre-shaped tail, red eye wattle, white wing-bar
• Female: mottled brown, larger and greyer than Red Grouse, with a slightly forked tail
• Communal lekking display at dawn in spring
• Bubbling, dove-like display calls from males at the lek

Similar species

• Red Grouse males are entirely rufous-brown without a lyre-shaped tail; female Red Grouse are smaller and more rufous than female Black Grouse.
• Western Capercaillie male is much larger and bulkier, lacking the lyre-shaped tail.

The male's unmistakable lyre tail and glossy black plumage make Black Grouse readily identifiable; females require more care but are best told by size and habitat.

Habitat

Favors transitional habitat between moorland and woodland, including heather moor edges, birch scrub, upland pasture, and young forestry plantations.

Range

Found patchily across northern Britain, and more widely through Scandinavia, the Alps, and boreal and montane regions of continental Europe and Asia.

Migration

Resident and largely sedentary, though birds may move short distances between seasonal habitats.

Behavior

Famous for lekking: males gather communally at traditional display grounds (leks) at dawn in spring, fanning their tails, puffing wattles, and sparring to establish dominance and attract females, who visit to select a mate.

Voice

Displaying males give a far-carrying, bubbling "rookoo" song along with sharp hissing and sneezing notes during sparring.

Feeding

Feeds on buds, catkins, shoots, and berries, particularly birch and heather, with insects important for growing chicks.

Nesting and breeding

Females alone build a simple ground nest and incubate 6-11 eggs for about 23-28 days, receiving no help from the male, who takes no part in nesting after mating at the lek.