Sooty Grouse

Also known as: Blue Grouse

51 cm (20") Common. Western North America. Mountains. Deciduous forests in summer, moves to higher elevations in winter. Native to North America's Pacific Coast Ranges.

Adults have a long square tail, light gray at the end. It is so closely related to the Dusky Grouse, that until recently they were considered the same species (The Blue Grouse).

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

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