Dusky Grouse

Overview

The Dusky Grouse inhabits montane coniferous forest across the interior Rocky Mountain region, a range formerly combined with the coastal Sooty Grouse under the single name "Blue Grouse." Males are dark slate-grey overall, with inflatable neck sacs bordered by yellow-orange skin used during courtship display, and a dark, square-tipped tail lacking a pale terminal band.

• Family: Phasianidae (grouse)
• Diet: conifer needles, buds, berries, and invertebrates
• Range: interior Rocky Mountains, from British Columbia to Arizona and New Mexico

Feather Identification

• Body feathers: dark slate-grey overall with subtle fine vermiculation, appearing plain at a distance.
• Tail: broad, dark tail feathers typically lack a pale grey terminal band, or show only a very narrow one, distinguishing it from the Sooty Grouse.
• Neck: males show bare, colorful skin patches (yellow to orange) on the neck sides, inflated during display, framed by white-tipped feathers.
• Females: mottled brown and grey overall, providing camouflage, and lacking the male's neck coloration.
• Vs. similar species: the near-absence of a pale terminal tail band separates it from the Sooty Grouse, which typically shows a distinct pale grey tail tip; range is also a useful distinguishing factor, as the two species are largely separated geographically.

Plumage Notes

Adult males show dark slate-grey plumage year-round, with the bare neck skin becoming more vivid during spring courtship display. Females are mottled brown and grey for camouflage while nesting. Juveniles resemble females until their first full molt into adult plumage.

Habitat & Range

Dusky Grouse inhabit montane coniferous and mixed forest in the interior Rocky Mountains, ranging from British Columbia and Alberta south through the western United States to Arizona and New Mexico. They typically show seasonal elevational movement, moving to higher conifer stands in winter and lower shrub or forest edge habitat in summer.

Behavior

Dusky Grouse forage on the ground and in trees for buds, needles, berries, and invertebrates, with conifer needles dominating the winter diet. Males perform courtship displays involving inflating neck sacs, fanning the tail, and giving low, hooting calls from elevated perches. Nests are ground scrapes concealed by vegetation. The species is generally solitary or found in small groups outside the breeding season.