Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Dusky Grouse
Dendragapus obscurus
Dusky Grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) — Gamebirds of North America.
Found across 17 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Dusky Grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in North America. Adults weigh 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 Dendragapus
- Species obscurus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 1 kg
- Diet
- Plant-eaters
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Dusky Grouse feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Dusky Grouse is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Dusky Grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) belongs to the Phasianidae family of the order Galliformes. Its range spans North America. Its distribution covers NA s Yukon to c Colorado.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 1 kg, with a wing length of about 22.7 cm and a tail of around 14.6 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 1.5 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Dusky Grouse?
The Dusky Grouse is a very large bird that weighs around 1 kg.
Where does the Dusky Grouse live?
The Dusky Grouse is found across North America with a range covering NA s Yukon to c Colorado, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Dusky Grouse belong to?
The Dusky Grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Dusky Grouse eat?
The Dusky Grouse feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.
Does the Dusky Grouse migrate?
The Dusky Grouse is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Dusky 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 Dusky Grouse make?
1 real field recording of the Dusky Grouse can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Dusky Grouse's range?
The Dusky Grouse has a mapped global range of about 1.5 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.
Explore more birds
More in Phasianidae
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Game Birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern