Many people do not know how to say the name of this bird (i.e. the female black grouse) in Russian correctly, and mistakenly call it ‘teterivikha’ or ‘teterevukha’. In fact, it should be referred to as ‘tetyorka’, i.e. ‘greyhen’. In the past, its Russian name was ‘tetyorka-ryabushka’ because of the bird’s resemblance to a speckled (“ryabaya”) hen. Hunters, particularly of game birds, refer to it as “kopylookha” in Russian.
The greyhen is not as beautiful or brightly colored as the male black grouse. Its plumage is either beige or brown, with traces of light and dark lengthwise stripes on its feathers. The female bird of this species has small speculums, i.e. patches of white feathers, on its wings and under its tail. Its legs and chest also have white feathers on them.
Greyhens can reach lengths of approximately 50 centimeters. They weigh no more than one kilogram. The sounds this bird produces resemble clucking noises made by a normal hen. Greyhens are often mistaken for female Eurasian capercaillie because of their similar plumage and size. These birds can easily hide from hunters on account of their nondescript appearance. When pursued by enemies, they usually hide in the grass where it is difficult to spot them.
Eurasian black grouse prefer to live in flocks. It is especially important for them to stick together in winter. During the cold season, the female rarely leaves her partner’s side.
Once the birds have mated, the male does not help to take care of the offspring. The greyhen is also solely responsible for building its nest, the partner does not participate in this process in any way.
The female black grouse arranges its own abode and incubates the eggs. It builds the nest right on the ground in thick grass or nettle patches. Essentially, its abode is a fairly small hole in the ground, where the greyhen puts branches, grass, leaves and feathers. The female black grouse lays approximately ten to twelve eggs, and incubates them for twenty five days.
Hatchlings grow and develop very quickly. Several hours after the chicks come into this world, they can already leave their nest together with their mother. These young birds have an animal-based diet, which includes various larvae, small insects and caterpillars. Their mother looks after them for around ten more days (after they hatch) by protecting them from predators and other dangers. A month later, these youngsters are able to fly really well.
The greyhen is not as beautiful or brightly colored as the male black grouse. Its plumage is either beige or brown, with traces of light and dark lengthwise stripes on its feathers. The female bird of this species has small speculums, i.e. patches of white feathers, on its wings and under its tail. Its legs and chest also have white feathers on them.
Greyhens can reach lengths of approximately 50 centimeters. They weigh no more than one kilogram. The sounds this bird produces resemble clucking noises made by a normal hen. Greyhens are often mistaken for female Eurasian capercaillie because of their similar plumage and size. These birds can easily hide from hunters on account of their nondescript appearance. When pursued by enemies, they usually hide in the grass where it is difficult to spot them.
Eurasian black grouse prefer to live in flocks. It is especially important for them to stick together in winter. During the cold season, the female rarely leaves her partner’s side.
Once the birds have mated, the male does not help to take care of the offspring. The greyhen is also solely responsible for building its nest, the partner does not participate in this process in any way.
The female black grouse arranges its own abode and incubates the eggs. It builds the nest right on the ground in thick grass or nettle patches. Essentially, its abode is a fairly small hole in the ground, where the greyhen puts branches, grass, leaves and feathers. The female black grouse lays approximately ten to twelve eggs, and incubates them for twenty five days.
Hatchlings grow and develop very quickly. Several hours after the chicks come into this world, they can already leave their nest together with their mother. These young birds have an animal-based diet, which includes various larvae, small insects and caterpillars. Their mother looks after them for around ten more days (after they hatch) by protecting them from predators and other dangers. A month later, these youngsters are able to fly really well.
