Measurements
Both Sexes
- Length
- 15.7–19.7 in
40–50 cm - Weight
- 26.5–45.9 oz
750–1300 g
Other Names
- Tétras sombre (French)
- Gallo azul (Spanish)
Cool Facts
- The Sooty Grouse is the third largest grouse in North America, and one of the largest in the world. The two sage-grouse are the only larger American species.
- The number of tail feathers a bird has is usually constant within a species (and usually numbering around 10). The Sooty Grouse, however, can have from 15 to 22.
Habitat
Forest
During breeding season, can be found in forested habitats from sea level to thousands of feet in elevation. Lowland forest is the preferred habitat for this species. In winter, found almost entirely in coniferous forests.
Food
Plants
Mainly leaves, flowers and conifer needles. Sooty Grouse, especially juveniles, will also eat small invertebrates.
Nesting
Nesting Facts
- Condition at Hatching
- Downy and able to follow mother.
Nest Description
Nest is generally a shallow depression in the ground, lined with dead vegetation and body feathers.
Nest Placement
Ground
Almost always nests on ground with variable amounts of cover; from open, recently burned areas to dense coniferous or mixed coniferous forests.
Behavior
Ground Forager
Spends most of its time on the ground foraging, but will also forage for buds in deciduous trees and needles in coniferous trees. During winter, Sooty Grouse spend most of their time in coniferous trees eating needles. In general, males vocalize often and while perched in trees.
Conservation
Least Concern
Most populations appear stable, may be declining in some areas. Needs more research.
Credits
- Zwickel, F. C. 1992. Sooty Grouse (Dendragapus obscurus ). In The Birds of North America, No. 15 (A. Poole, P. Stettenheim, and F. Gill, Eds.). Philadelphia: The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington, DC: The American Ornithologists' Union.