Spruce Grouse

Canachites canadensis

Spruce Grouse (Canachites canadensis) — Gamebirds of North America.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 16 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Canada Birds of the United States Birds of Alberta Birds of British Columbia Birds of Manitoba Birds of New Brunswick Birds of Newfoundland and Labrador Birds of Nova Scotia Birds of Northwest Territories Birds of Nunavut

By family

Pheasants, Grouse & Allies of Canada Pheasants, Grouse & Allies of the United States Pheasants, Grouse & Allies of Alberta Pheasants, Grouse & Allies of British Columbia Pheasants, Grouse & Allies of Manitoba Pheasants, Grouse & Allies of Nova Scotia

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The Spruce Grouse (Canachites canadensis) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in North America. Adults weigh 474 g.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Galliformes
Family Phasianidae Pheasants & Allies
Genus Canachites
Species canadensis

Where it lives

Alaska, Canada and northern USA

North America

Quick facts

Weight: 474 g
Diet: Plant-eaters
Family: Phasianidae
Order: Galliformes
Habitat: Woodland

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Spruce Grouse feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.

Behaviour

A bird of dense forest, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The Spruce Grouse is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Spruce Grouse (Canachites canadensis) is a member of the Phasianidae family, within the order Galliformes. It occurs naturally across North America. Its distribution covers NA Alaska, Canada and n USA.

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 474 g, with a wing length of about 18 cm and a tail of around 11.1 cm.

Songs & calls

Spruce Grouse — Uncertain, wing noise

Recorded by Bruce Lagerquist Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Spruce Grouse?

The Spruce Grouse is a large bird that weighs around 474 g.

Where does the Spruce Grouse live?

The Spruce Grouse is found across North America with a range covering NA Alaska, Canada and n USA, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.

What family does the Spruce Grouse belong to?

The Spruce Grouse (Canachites canadensis) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.

What does the Spruce Grouse eat?

The Spruce Grouse feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.

Does the Spruce Grouse migrate?

The Spruce Grouse is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

What sound does the Spruce Grouse make?

1 real field recording of the Spruce Grouse can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.