Grouse

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Grouse
Greater Sage-Grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Galliformes Family: Tetraonidae Vigors, 1825
Genera
Falcipennis Dendragapus Lagopus Tetrao Bonasa Centrocercus Tympanuchus

Grouse are from the order Galliformes which inhabit temperate and subarctic regions of the northern hemisphere. They are game and are sometimes hunted for food.

Males are often polygamous, and many species have elaborate courtship displays. These heavily built birds have legs feathered to the toes. Most species are year-round residents, and do not migrate.

These birds feed mainly on vegetable food, but will also feed on insects, especially when feeding young.

[edit] Species

Genus Falcipennis

• Siberian Grouse, Falcipennis falcipennis
• Spruce Grouse, Falcipennis canadensis

Genus Dendragapus (Blue Grouse; now split into two species)

• Dusky Grouse, Dendragapus obscurus
• Sooty Grouse, Dendragapus fuliginosus

Genus Lagopus

• Willow Grouse (Willow Ptarmigan in North America), Lagopus lagopus
• Ptarmigan (Rock Ptarmigan in North America), Lagopus mutus
• White-tailed Ptarmigan, Lagopus leucurus

Genus Tetrao

• Eurasian Black Grouse, Tetrao tetrix
• Caucasian Black Grouse, Tetrao mlokosiewiczi
• Capercaillie, Tetrao urogallus
• Black-billed Capercaillie, Tetrao parvirostris

Genus Bonasa

• Hazel Grouse, Bonasa bonasia
• Severtzov's Grouse, Bonasa sewerzowi
• Ruffed Grouse, Bonasa umbellus

Genus Centrocercus

• Greater Sage-Grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus
• Gunnison Sage-Grouse, Centrocercus minimus

Genus Tympanuchus

• Sharp-tailed Grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus
• Greater Prairie-Chicken, Tympanuchus cupido
  • Heath Hen, T. c. cupido (extinct, 1932) - possibly a distinct species
• Lesser Prairie-Chicken Tympanuchus pallidicinctus

[edit] External links

• Grouse videos on the Internet Bird Collection