The Eurasian black grouse is also called blackgame, or blackcock and greyhen. It is a member of the Phasianidae family of the Galliformes order. The bird has a sizable body, a short neck and a fairly small head. On average, males are fifty eight centimeters in length while females — forty five cm. Their weight is considerable, approximately 1.4 kilograms.
It is easy to distinguish the male form the female. Greyhens’ plumage is orange-brown with stripes of three different colors: grey, dark yellow and chestnut (closer in shade to black). Males are a lot more colorful. They have black plumage with a purplish hue to their necks, upper bodies and tails. There are distinct white patches under their tails and wings, which are called speculums. Their tail feathers curl outward and resemble the frame of a Greek lyre. There are noticeable red arcs above the eyes of male birds of this species.
Males also make distinctive loud and high-pitched sounds. Whenever they sense danger, male birds call out “Chooo-eee”.
They are especially noisy during courtship, which is in spring time. As soon as the snow starts to thaw, male black grouse start hopping, running around and burbling loudly. In fact, this is how they compete with each other and such contests last 15 to 20 minutes.
Flocks of Eurasian black grouse prefer to live in groves, sparse woods, mountains, valleys and not far from farms, where they can find many treats. They inhabit territories that are not far from a water source. These birds have a primarily plant-based diet. Black grouse consume more varied food only in spring and summer time when there is a variety of berries, fruit and plants outside. During warmer seasons, they also eat seeds of trees, grasses and plants. In winter, Eurasian black grouse eat tree buds, shoots as well as catkins. They particularly like birch, willow, aspen and alder trees. Their diets also consist of juniper berries and pine cones. In order to improve their digestive functions, while eating, adult birds swallow fairly small stones. The latter help to grind up the food in their stomachs, and thus ease digestion.
Eurasian black grouse spend winters on the ground. During the day, these birds may sit on tree branches, but when it starts getting darker, they dive into snow piles and burrow as deep as possible. During snowstorms, the birds can survive several days in such snow “caves”. They climb out onto the surface only to search for food. And even under layers of snow, black grouse are distinctively risk-averse. They can hear and see very well. Even a single clumsy move during a hunt can scare all the black grouse around. The frightened birds quickly and noisily fly up and create a ruckus in the air.
It is easy to distinguish the male form the female. Greyhens’ plumage is orange-brown with stripes of three different colors: grey, dark yellow and chestnut (closer in shade to black). Males are a lot more colorful. They have black plumage with a purplish hue to their necks, upper bodies and tails. There are distinct white patches under their tails and wings, which are called speculums. Their tail feathers curl outward and resemble the frame of a Greek lyre. There are noticeable red arcs above the eyes of male birds of this species.
Males also make distinctive loud and high-pitched sounds. Whenever they sense danger, male birds call out “Chooo-eee”.
They are especially noisy during courtship, which is in spring time. As soon as the snow starts to thaw, male black grouse start hopping, running around and burbling loudly. In fact, this is how they compete with each other and such contests last 15 to 20 minutes.
Flocks of Eurasian black grouse prefer to live in groves, sparse woods, mountains, valleys and not far from farms, where they can find many treats. They inhabit territories that are not far from a water source. These birds have a primarily plant-based diet. Black grouse consume more varied food only in spring and summer time when there is a variety of berries, fruit and plants outside. During warmer seasons, they also eat seeds of trees, grasses and plants. In winter, Eurasian black grouse eat tree buds, shoots as well as catkins. They particularly like birch, willow, aspen and alder trees. Their diets also consist of juniper berries and pine cones. In order to improve their digestive functions, while eating, adult birds swallow fairly small stones. The latter help to grind up the food in their stomachs, and thus ease digestion.
Eurasian black grouse spend winters on the ground. During the day, these birds may sit on tree branches, but when it starts getting darker, they dive into snow piles and burrow as deep as possible. During snowstorms, the birds can survive several days in such snow “caves”. They climb out onto the surface only to search for food. And even under layers of snow, black grouse are distinctively risk-averse. They can hear and see very well. Even a single clumsy move during a hunt can scare all the black grouse around. The frightened birds quickly and noisily fly up and create a ruckus in the air.
