Red Grouse Diet and Size: Feeding Habits, Predators, and Measurements

Red Grouse are medium-sized game birds and are distinguished by their reddish-brown plumage that helps them to blend into the heather of their moorland habitats. They have feather covered legs and feet which helps to keep them warm in their cold climate habitats.

Red Grouse are exclusive UK birds and can reach speeds of up to 70 mph (112.6 km/h). They can be spotted in their upland homes where they remain as resident birds all year round.

In this article we’ll take a closer look at the dietary habits, breeding habits and the size and weight of these truly British birds.

Table of Contents

The Dietary Habits Of The Red Grouse

The dietary habits of the Red Grouse revolve around the heather which is found in their habitat.

What Does A Red Grouse Eat?

Red Grouse rely on heather as a staple food source. They feed on the shoots, flowers and seeds of the heather and during cold, winter months when other food sources are in short supply, they will eat the tough, woody stems of older heather plants.

They also eat other plant materials like berries, seeds and leaves of grasses and sedges. They will also supplement their diets with insects and invertebrates especially during the summer months when insects are easily available.

During winter, when food is scarce, Red Grouse can often be found on farmland searching for food.

What To Feed A Baby Red Grouse?

Although the chicks are precocial and can leave the nest after around 24 hours from hatching, Red Grouse feed their chicks a diet of insects and invertebrates during the first few weeks of their lives. These food sources are rich in the protein needed to sustain the growth and development of the chicks.

After a few weeks, the chicks transition onto a diet more in line with that of their parents, parts of the heather plant. By the time the chicks are fully grown, their diet will consist mainly of heather.

Breeding Habits Of Red Grouse

Male Red Grouse establish their territories in late winter or early spring just in time for the start of the breeding season. They will defend their territory (which can be anywhere between 2 to 10 hectares in size) by posturing, calling loudly and even engaging in physical confrontations.

Once their territory has been established, the males will start calling to attract a mate. They will also start to engage in visual displays to impress potential mates. These displays include; erecting their head and neck feathers, fanning their tails and puffing out their chests in order to appear larger and more dominant.

The male will then chase the female all around his territory to help strengthen the bond between the pair.

Do Red Grouse Mate For Life?

Red Grouse do not mate for life but form season long monogamous relationships. The pair will typically bond in late winter and breed the following spring.

They will remain loyal to each other until the young chicks have fledged. Although they remain within the same area for all of their lives, the pair will both find new mates the following year.

The Size & Weight Of Red Grouse

Red Grouse are a medium-sized plump bird similar in size to the Grey Partridge.

How Much Does A Red Grouse Weigh?

The weight of a Red Grouse can vary between around 650 to 750 grams. Males are usually slightly larger than females. Although females tend to increase in weight during the nesting season especially when laying eggs.

How Big Is A Red Grouse?

The average length of a Red Grouse is somewhere between 37 to 42 cm with a wingspan of around 55 to 66 cm. The male is slightly larger than the female and is slightly brighter in colour as well.

Are Red Grouse Under Threat?

Although not classified as an endangered species, the Red Grouse population can fluctuate significantly due to certain factors. These factors include; habitat loss due to agricultural expansion, urban development and the planting of trees.

Climate change is another factor which can affect the numbers of Red Grouse as changes in the weather can affect the composition of their moorland habitats. Warmer winters and wetter summers can have a negative impact on their breeding success as well.

Red Grouse also face problems due to diseases and parasites. From Louping-Ill virus carried by ticks to parasitic worms, all of these issues can impact Red Grouse numbers and survival rates.

Then there is the impact of humans on the Red Grouse population whether it’s due to increased activity on their moorland habitats by walkers, ramblers, hikers and dog walkers or overhunting and poaching.

They also face threats from predators.

What Eats A Red Grouse?

Red Grouse face the threat of predation from many different creatures. Adult Red Grouse and their eggs and chicks can all fall prey to Hen Harriers, Golden Eagles and Peregrine Falcons. While chicks and eggs fall prey to Crows and Ravens.

Foxes, stoats and weasels are also likely to take chicks and eggs and even weak or infirm adults.

Where Can I See Red Grouse In The UK?

Red Grouse can be seen in a number of upland areas throughout the UK mainly in areas with large heather moorland regions. Some of the most reported sightings of Red Grouse occur in the following areas;

England

The North York Moors National Park
The Peak District National Park
The Yorkshire Dales

Scotland

The Southern Uplands
The Cairngorms National Park
The Scottish Highlands

Wales

Snowdonia National Park
The Brecon Beacons National Park

Northern Ireland

The Mourne Mountains
The Antrim Hills

The best time to see Red Grouse in any of these remote open moorland sites is during the early morning or late afternoon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Red Grouse eat?

The primary food source for Red Grouse is heather. They eat the shoots, seeds and flowers during the spring and summer and in the winter they will eat tougher wooden stems. They also eat insects and invertebrates.

How fast can a Red Grouse fly?

Although they prefer to walk or run, Red Grouse can fly at speeds of up to 70 mph (112.6 km/h) making them the fastest flying British game bird.

Where is the best place in Scotland to see red grouse?

The Cairngorms National Park is one of the best places to see red grouse in Scotland. They can also be seen in the Highlands and southern uplands of Scotland.