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  • Black grouse

Black grouse

Black grouse (male)
Black grouse (male)
Black grouse (female)
Black grouse (female)
  • Scientific name: Tetrao tetrix
  • Bird family: Grouse
  • UK conservation status: Red
  • Protected by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Key information

The all-black males have distinctive red wattle over the eye and show a striking white stripe along each wing in flight. They have a lyre-shaped tail which is fanned out and raised to show white under-tail feathers when displaying. The smaller grey-brown females have a slightly notched tail. Habitat loss and overgrazing have resulted in a decline in numbers and range making them a Red List species. Positive habitat management is helping them to increase in some areas.

Black grouse conservation work is supported by The Famous Grouse.

What they eat:

Buds, shoots, catkins and berries.

Measurements:

Length:
40-55cm
Wingspan:
65-80cm
Weight:
1.2kg (male), 930g (female)

Population:

UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.
UK breeding:
<5,100 males
Europe:
2,500,000-4,850,000 pairs

Identifying features:

This bird species has different identifying features depending on sex/age/season.

Black grouse (male)

Black grouse male
Feather colour: Black Brown White
Leg colour: Brown
Beak: Black Short Medium thickness
Natural habitats: Woodland Upland

Black grouse (female)

Illustration of a female black grouse
Feather colour: Black Brown Cream/buff Grey White
Leg colour: Brown
Beak: Black Short Curved Medium thickness
Natural habitats: Woodland Upland

Similar birds:

Male red grouse
Red grouse

Where and when to see them

Black grouse are found in upland areas of Wales, the Pennines and most of Scotland. Best looked for on farmland and moorland with nearby forestry or scattered trees. They have traditional 'lek' sites where the males display.

* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.
  • Resident
  • Passage
  • Summer
  • Winter
Black grouse distribution map

Black grouse can be seen all year round.

  • jan
  • feb
  • mar
  • apr
  • may
  • jun
  • jul
  • aug
  • sep
  • oct
  • nov
  • dec

RSPB reserves

  • RSPB Inversnaid
  • RSPB Corrimony
  • RSPB Geltsdale

In more depth

Black grouse breeding

Black grouse breeding

Black grouse conservation

Black grouse conservation

Black grouse feeding

Black grouse feeding

Black grouse population trends

Black grouse population trends

Threats

Threats

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 Black grouse Tetrao tetrix, adult male on lek. Corrimony RSPB reserve. Scotland.

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 Black grouse Tetrao tetrix, adult male on lek. Corrimony RSPB reserve. Scotland.

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We spend 90% of net income on conservation, public education and advocacy

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