How to identify
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.Key
- Resident
- Passage
- Summer
- Winter
* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations. - Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Watching endangered grouse
Read our guidelines on how to watch endagered grouse without harming these wonderful but scarce birds.