Grouses

Here's a list of all the UK Grouses:

Red Grouse

Red Grouse are medium-sized game birds, distinguished by their reddish-brown plumage that beautifully blends with the heather of their moorland homes. Their legs and feet are feathered, aiding insulation in colder climates.

Differences Between Male And Female Red Grouse

Males and females are similar in plumage, but males boast a more vivid reddish hue and pronounced red eyebrow combs. Females are slightly paler, with subtle combs.

Ptarmigan

Ptarmigans are unique game birds, slightly larger than Grey Partridges.

In summer, they sport a mix of grey, brown, and black on top, with white underparts. Winter transforms them into almost entirely white birds, except for their distinctively black tail and eye-patch.

Differences Between Male And Female Ptarmigans

Males and females are similar in appearance, though males typically have more pronounced combs (the red ‘eyebrows’) and are slightly larger, especially noticeable during the breeding season.

Capercaillie

Capercaillies are the largest members of the grouse family, with a significant presence in woodland habitats.

The males, known for their sizable, glossy black bodies with a green sheen on their chests and striking red eye markings, are unmistakably majestic.

Females are smaller, with mottled brown feathers and an orange-brown throat.

Differences Between Male And Female Capercaillie

There’s a striking difference between the sexes.

Males are about twice the size of their female counterparts, weighing around 4kg, while females weigh approximately 2kg.

Males display glossy black feathers and red eye markings, whereas females exhibit a brown and mottled appearance with an orange-brown throat.

Black Grouse

Black Grouse are striking birds, with males showcasing an all-black plumage, contrasted by a distinctive red wattle above the eye and a white stripe along each wing in flight. Their notable feature is the lyre-shaped tail, which they fan out to display white under-tail feathers during courtship rituals.

Females, smaller in size, don a grey-brown plumage with a slightly notched tail, blending seamlessly into their natural habitat.

Differences Between Male And Female Black Grouse

Males are predominantly black with eye-catching white wing bars and red wattles above their eyes.

In contrast, females are grey-brown with a pattern of black barring, offering them excellent camouflage in the wild.

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