Photo: Simon Bailey / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Western Capercaillie
Tetrao urogallus
Western Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) — Gamebirds of Europe & Northern Asia.
Found across 15 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Western Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 2.7 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Galliformes
- Family Phasianidae Pheasants & Allies
- Genus Tetrao
- Species urogallus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 2.7 kg
- Diet
- Plant-eaters
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Western Capercaillie feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open forest, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Western Capercaillie is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Western Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) is a species of bird in the Phasianidae family, part of the order Galliformes. It is found across Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL nw, nc.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 2.7 kg, with a wing length of about 34.7 cm and a tail of around 25.7 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 11.3 million km² — a very large global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Western Capercaillie?
The Western Capercaillie is a very large bird that weighs around 2.7 kg.
Where does the Western Capercaillie live?
The Western Capercaillie is found across Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL nw, nc, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Western Capercaillie belong to?
The Western Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Western Capercaillie eat?
The Western Capercaillie feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.
Does the Western Capercaillie migrate?
The Western Capercaillie is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Western Capercaillie endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Western Capercaillie make?
1 real field recording of the Western Capercaillie — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Western Capercaillie's range?
The Western Capercaillie has a mapped global range of about 11.3 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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