Dusky Grouse

51 cm (20") Common. Western North America. Mountains. Deciduous forests in summer, moves to higher elevations in winter. Closely related to the Sooty Grouse, that until recently were considered the same species (The Blue Grouse).

Adults have a long square tail, gray at the end.

Males: mainly dark with a purplish throat air sac surrounded by white, and a yellow to red wattle over the eye during display.

Females: mottled brown with dark brown and white marks on the underparts. Similar female Ruffed Grouse has a black terminal tail band. 

Videos

Images

Credit: Carol Vinzant

Credit: Pat Gaines

Credit: Pat Gaines

Credit: Mark Watson

Distribution Maps

Dusky Grouse winter distribution map

Dusky Grouse distribution map