Wednesday, 15 February 2012
Black Grouse
Scientific Name:
Tetrao tetrix
Length:
Male:- 49-58cm. Female:- 40-45cm
Wingspan (mm):
72cm
Weight:
1.2k/925g
Lifespan:
12 max Ave 4 Description
Male - medium-large grouse with distinctive red eye patch and lyre shaped tail feathers in male. Loud take off noise, and compact in flight. Black with purplish gloss except for white under wing and white wing bar.
Female - slightly smaller than male. Black brown striping all over, with rufous tinge. Narrow white wing bar. Female is much shyer than male, more wary of humans.
Habitat
Heaths and moorland edges usually with birch scrub nearby.
Reproduction
Black Grouse lay 6-10 eggs which are buffy with brown spots, in May to June. Incubation takes 23-26 days. Young fledge after 10-14 days. 1 brood per year.
Population
There is an estimated population of 10,000 - 25,000 breeding pairs restricted to northern Britain.