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Caucasian Grouse

Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi

Near Threatened

Wingspan

39.6 cm

Weight

839.25 g

Family

Phasianidae

Order

Galliformes

About

A medium-sized Phasianidae grouse (~839 g) endemic to subalpine meadows and shrublands of the Caucasus Mountains. Males are wholly blue-black; females are barred brown. Feeds on alpine plants, berries, and insects. Near Threatened owing to hunting and habitat degradation at elevation.

Physical Description

Measurement	Value	Imperial
Wingspan	39.6 cm	15.6 in
Weight	839.25 g	29.60 oz

Identification

Plumage

Male uniform velvety blue-black lacking white wing bar, with downcurved outer tail feathers forming lyre shape; small red wattle. Female finely barred buff-brown; lacks rufous tones of Black Grouse female.

Habitat & Range

🌲 Forest 🌾 Grassland

Geographic Range

Endemic to alpine meadows and rocky slopes in the Caucasus Mountains, at 1,700 m to treeline; found in Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia.

Diet & Feeding

Eats buds, young shoots, and seeds of alpine plants; supplements diet with berries and insects during summer.

Conservation Status

Near Threatened

IUCN Red List

Behavior & Breeding

Nesting

Nest type: SC. Incubation: 20-25 days. Fledging: 10-14 days.

Clutch Size

2-13

Sound

Song

Males produce melodic, slightly gurgling 'woo-woo-woo' bubbling calls on alpine lek; softer than Black Grouse. Alarm is a harsh cackle. Caucasus endemic with less elaborate display than Black Grouse.

Taxonomy

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

Distribution

Caucasian 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 Caucasian Grouse eat?

Eats buds, young shoots, and seeds of alpine plants; supplements diet with berries and insects during summer.

Where does the Caucasian Grouse live?

Endemic to alpine meadows and rocky slopes in the Caucasus Mountains, at 1,700 m to treeline; found in Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia.

Is the Caucasian Grouse endangered?

The Caucasian Grouse has a conservation status of Near Threatened.

How does the Caucasian Grouse nest?

Nest type: SC. Incubation: 20-25 days. Fledging: 10-14 days.

What does the Caucasian Grouse sound like?

Males produce melodic, slightly gurgling 'woo-woo-woo' bubbling calls on alpine lek; softer than Black Grouse. Alarm is a harsh cackle. Caucasus endemic with less elaborate display than Black Grouse.

How big is the Caucasian Grouse?

The Caucasian Grouse has a wingspan of 39.6 cm, weight of 839.25 g.

What order and family does the Caucasian Grouse belong to?

The Caucasian Grouse (Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi) belongs to the order Galliformes and the family Phasianidae.