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Dusky Grouse

Dendragapus obscurus

Least Concern

Wingspan

45.3 cm

Weight

1118.0 g

Family

Phasianidae

Order

Galliformes

About

A large grouse (~1.1 kg) of family Phasianidae, males dark grey with yellow-orange eyecomb and inflatable violet neck sacs. Inhabits montane coniferous forests in the Rocky Mountains from British Columbia to New Mexico. Feeds on conifer needles in winter, berries and insects in summer. Exhibits elevational migration. Least Concern; common in western North American mountain forests.

Physical Description

Measurement	Value	Imperial
Wingspan	45.3 cm	17.8 in
Weight	1118.0 g	39.44 oz

Identification

Plumage

Male dark greyish-brown overall; pale grey tail with broad grey terminal band; yellow-orange eye-comb; bare yellow-purple neck air sacs visible in display. Female mottled brown and buff with darker barring.

Habitat & Range

🌲 Forest 🌾 Grassland

Geographic Range

Resident in the Rocky Mountains and coastal ranges of western North America from British Columbia south to New Mexico at 1,000-3,500 m.

Diet & Feeding

Eats conifer needles, especially fir and pine, in winter; berries, leaves, and invertebrates in summer. Highly folivorous.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

IUCN Red List

Behavior & Breeding

Nesting

Incubation: 25-27 days.

Clutch Size

4-10

Sound

Song

Low, deep hooting 'hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo' by males from conifer branches; ventriloquial and owl-like. Alarm is a sharp series of 'kuk-kuk' clucks. Female produces soft clucking contact notes.

Taxonomy

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Galliformes (Gamebirds)
Family	Phasianidae (Pheasants & Partridges)
Genus	Dendragapus
Species	Dendragapus obscurus

Distribution

Dusky Grouse has been recorded in 1 countries.

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Present Not recorded

countries highlighted

🇳🇴 Norway

External Databases

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Dusky Grouse eat?

Eats conifer needles, especially fir and pine, in winter; berries, leaves, and invertebrates in summer. Highly folivorous.

Where does the Dusky Grouse live?

Resident in the Rocky Mountains and coastal ranges of western North America from British Columbia south to New Mexico at 1,000-3,500 m.

Is the Dusky Grouse endangered?

The Dusky Grouse has a conservation status of Least Concern.

How does the Dusky Grouse nest?

Incubation: 25-27 days.

What does the Dusky Grouse sound like?

Low, deep hooting 'hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo' by males from conifer branches; ventriloquial and owl-like. Alarm is a sharp series of 'kuk-kuk' clucks. Female produces soft clucking contact notes.

How big is the Dusky Grouse?

The Dusky Grouse has a wingspan of 45.3 cm, weight of 1118.0 g.

What order and family does the Dusky Grouse belong to?

The Dusky Grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) belongs to the order Galliformes and the family Phasianidae.