Spruce Grouse (Dendragapus canadensis)

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Spruce Grouse (Phasianidae: Dendragapus canadensis)

The Spruce Grouse lives throughout the Northern Boreal Forest and extends its range into the mountain forests of the Pacific Northwest.

Identifying Features: This bird has the distinctive shape of a grouse or partridge. The male is gray brown with a black neck outlined in white. The breast is gray streaked with white. The female, in contrast is brown above and white streaked with brown below.

Similar Species: The Spruce Grouse may be confused with the Blue Grouse. The Blue Grouse is found in the mountainous regions of Canada and the United States and the two species sometimes occur together. The male of the Blue Grouse has a white neck and its breast is smooth gray. The females of the two species are difficult to tell apart.

Habitat: The Spruce Grouse is found in coniferous forest, particularly those with a mixture of spruce and Jack Pine. They are also sometimes found around bogs.

Food: The Spruce Grouse feeds on the new needles and buds of spruce and other coniferous trees, although young birds occasionally eat insects.

Behavior: The Spruce Grouse is a tame bird and sometimes can be approached closely. The species is common, but difficult to find. The birds are usually found alone or in small family groups.

Reproduction: The nest is placed in a hollow in the ground and is lined with grass and leaves. The nest is usually concealed under the low branches of a young spruce or fir tree. The clutch consists of 8 to 10 tan eggs. The eggs are plain or spotted with brown.