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:
- <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 (female)
