Photo: Tomju48 / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Black-billed Capercaillie
Tetrao urogalloides
Black-billed Capercaillie (Tetrao urogalloides) — Gamebirds of Europe & Northern Asia.
The Black-billed Capercaillie (Tetrao urogalloides) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 2.8 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 urogalloides
Quick facts
- Weight
- 2.8 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 Black-billed 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 Black-billed Capercaillie is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Black-billed Capercaillie (Tetrao urogalloides) is a member of the Phasianidae family, within the order Galliformes. Its range spans Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL ne.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 2.8 kg, with a wing length of about 34.1 cm and a tail of around 26.1 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 7 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Black-billed Capercaillie?
The Black-billed Capercaillie is a very large bird that weighs around 2.8 kg.
Where does the Black-billed Capercaillie live?
The Black-billed Capercaillie is found across Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL ne, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Black-billed Capercaillie belong to?
The Black-billed Capercaillie (Tetrao urogalloides) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Black-billed Capercaillie eat?
The Black-billed Capercaillie feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.
Does the Black-billed Capercaillie migrate?
The Black-billed Capercaillie is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Black-billed 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 Black-billed Capercaillie make?
1 real field recording of the Black-billed Capercaillie can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Black-billed Capercaillie's range?
The Black-billed Capercaillie has a mapped global range of about 7 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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