Sooty Grouse: Order-Galliformes, Family-Phasianidae, Species-Dendragapus fuliginosus
Recalling the numerous outings with my father as a youngster, the Sooty Grouse was one of the birds we frequently encountered. I also remember being somewhat amazed at how close I was able to come to these birds, later learning that this is quite characteristic of most grouse species in general. There were also many occasions when we would encounter them on or beside roadways, often almost running the birds over with our vehicle.
And so it was not surprising when I encountered both of the birds pictured below while driving. The first bird (Male in Mating plumage) was observed while traveling a forestry/logging road near the small coastal community of Jordan River, on Vancouver Island. Being early spring and characteristic of these birds, it was performing an elaborate mating behaviour for a female standing at the side of the roadway.
Recalling the numerous outings with my father as a youngster, the Sooty Grouse was one of the birds we frequently encountered. I also remember being somewhat amazed at how close I was able to come to these birds, later learning that this is quite characteristic of most grouse species in general. There were also many occasions when we would encounter them on or beside roadways, often almost running the birds over with our vehicle.
And so it was not surprising when I encountered both of the birds pictured below while driving. The first bird (Male in Mating plumage) was observed while traveling a forestry/logging road near the small coastal community of Jordan River, on Vancouver Island. Being early spring and characteristic of these birds, it was performing an elaborate mating behaviour for a female standing at the side of the roadway.
The sooty Grouse, like the Dusky Grouse, was recently reclassified as a separate species. Although primarily distinguished by its restriction to coastal mountain ranges, plumage and behavioral displays help differentiate the male Sooty Grouse from the very similar looking Dusky Grouse.
During courtship displays, which are most often performed in trees, the male Sooty Grouse show rough yellow air sacs. Female and chicks have a browner overall appearance to their plumage than those of the Dusky Grouse.
Voice: Loud six-syllable hooting: also growl hiss, cluck, purr.
Nesting: Shallow depression lined with dead vegetation, usually under small pine trees: 5-8 eggs; 1 brood; March-May.
Feeding: Feeds primarily on evergreen needles, especially Douglas Fir; will take leaves, grasses, fruit and insects when seasonally available.
Occurrence: Found west of the Rocky Mountains in Canada and the US, from sea level to the timberline. Breeds at lower elevations in open areas with grassland, forest clearings and shrubs, and moves up into thicker evergreen forests at higher elevations in winter.
(Taken from Birds of Canada-David M Bird, Ph.D. - Consultant Editor; First Edition 2010)
NOTE: I hope you enjoyed and found this post interesting and informative. Please leave your feedback comments, as I would like to make posts one of this type a regular feature on the web site. Thank you.
During courtship displays, which are most often performed in trees, the male Sooty Grouse show rough yellow air sacs. Female and chicks have a browner overall appearance to their plumage than those of the Dusky Grouse.
Voice: Loud six-syllable hooting: also growl hiss, cluck, purr.
Nesting: Shallow depression lined with dead vegetation, usually under small pine trees: 5-8 eggs; 1 brood; March-May.
Feeding: Feeds primarily on evergreen needles, especially Douglas Fir; will take leaves, grasses, fruit and insects when seasonally available.
Occurrence: Found west of the Rocky Mountains in Canada and the US, from sea level to the timberline. Breeds at lower elevations in open areas with grassland, forest clearings and shrubs, and moves up into thicker evergreen forests at higher elevations in winter.
(Taken from Birds of Canada-David M Bird, Ph.D. - Consultant Editor; First Edition 2010)
NOTE: I hope you enjoyed and found this post interesting and informative. Please leave your feedback comments, as I would like to make posts one of this type a regular feature on the web site. Thank you.