Western Capercaillie

tetrijeb · Tetrao urogallus

birdvulnerable

A huge, secretive grouse of old conifer forests, the displaying males gathering at dawn 'leks' in spring with strange clicking, popping songs.

Identification & best seen

Turkey-sized; males blackish with a fanned tail and red eyebrow, females mottled brown.

Habitat & where to see

Mature spruce and fir forests of the high mountains.

Fun fact

At the height of his spring display the male briefly goes deaf — to his own song.