Black Grouse

The black grouse is a large bird found mainly in areas of upland moorland and hill farms, often near forestry plantations. As is common with many gamebirds, the male black grouse is larger and visually more impressive than the female. He has black plumage, a red wattle and a distinctive white stripe along each wing. He also has a lyre-shaped tail, which looks forked in flight.

His striking appearance is fully utilised during a spectacular wildlife courtship display where males display at communal sites or 'leks' to attract a mate. At dawn in springtime, you might be lucky enough to hear the males’ unique dove-like mating call during this peeding display.

The female or ‘greyhen’ is grey-pown in colour with a slightly notched tail and a cackling call. She takes all responsibility for nesting and caring for the chicks. Black grouse mainly eat buds, shoots, berries and catkins.

Like their cousins the capercaillie, black grouse have suffered a huge decline in the last few decades. Habitat losses and overgrazing have severely endangered this bird making it a Red List species.

Here at the National Park Authority we are taking action to secure the future of this magnificent species thanks to a joint initiative with RSPB Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage. We have been working together to help land managers protect black grouse in central Scotland and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.

By taking simple steps like removing redundant deer fences; planting and regenerating woodland; controlling foxes and cows; and reducing winter grazing on moorlands, the dramatic decline of this marvellous bird can be halted.