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Black grouse

Coileach-dubh
Tetrao tetix

The black grouse is the fastest declining bird in the UK and is one of our most endangered species.

Many fear that it’s following its larger cousin the capercaillie towards near extinction. Active conservation projects are helping to improve black grouse habitat and reduce threats. 

Female black grouse standing on a tree stump

Where they live

Black grouse need a complex mosaic of different habitats. They prefer:

  • open mature pinewoods
  • heather moorland
  • young conifer woodland

They’re often found on the fringes of upland heather moors and native woodland.

What they eat

Adults graze on:

  • shoots and buds of larch, birch and heather
  • hawthorn, rowan and blaeberries

Young chicks feed on insects.

Two black grouse lekking amongst mossy grass

Lek season 

Leks are traditional display sites. Here, the males strut, posture and fight in front of the females. With their distinctive appearance and cry, the male black grouse is one of nature’s eye-catchers. During the lek, you'll often see their lyre-shaped tails raised in a fan of snow-white feathers. 

Meanwhile the females, called a grey hen, quietly lays the eggs and raises the chicks. Her grey-brown feathers camouflaged in the heather.

How to see them in the wild

You might accidentally frighten black grouse and see them taking off in alarm with fast wingbeats. The white wing stripe is clearly visible in flight.

Where might you see them

You might see black grouse in:

You could also see them in other upland areas across the country.

When can you see them

You can see them all year around. Please avoid looking for them from April till July. This is their nesting season.

What to look out for

They’re the same size as a domestic hen. Not to be confused with the capercaillie, which is 30% larger. The female is slightly smaller than the male.

Young birds are often killed when they fly into tall deer fences. We make our fences more visible with diagonal and upright batons, or coloured netting. If you see a marked fence there’s a good chance that black grouse and capercaillie may be nearby.

Please follow the code of conduct at all times.