Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Black Grouse
Lyrurus tetrix
Black Grouse (Lyrurus tetrix) — 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 Black Grouse (Lyrurus tetrix) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 1.1 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 Lyrurus
- Species tetrix
Quick facts
- Weight
- 1.1 kg
- Diet
- Plant-eaters
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Black Grouse feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.
Behaviour
A bird of open forest, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Black Grouse is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Black Grouse (Lyrurus tetrix) is a member of the Phasianidae family, within the order Galliformes. It occurs naturally across Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL n.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 1.1 kg, with a wing length of about 24.1 cm and a tail of around 13 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 14 million km² — a very large global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Black Grouse?
The Black Grouse is a very large bird that weighs around 1.1 kg.
Where does the Black Grouse live?
The Black Grouse is found across Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL n, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Black Grouse belong to?
The Black Grouse (Lyrurus tetrix) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Black Grouse eat?
The Black Grouse feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.
Does the Black Grouse migrate?
The Black Grouse is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Black Grouse 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 Black Grouse make?
1 real field recording of the Black Grouse — 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 Black Grouse's range?
The Black Grouse has a mapped global range of about 14 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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