# Dusky Grouse (*Dendragapus obscurus*) The Dusky Grouse is a special bird that loves to live in the mountains. With its fluffy feathers and unique calls, it can be a fun surprise to spot while hiking in the woods! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 12 - **Habitat:** Mountain regions ![Dusky Grouse](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Dendragapus_obscurus_NPS.jpg&width=800) Photo: S. King, US NPS, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dendragapus_obscurus_NPS.jpg) ## Appearance The Dusky Grouse is a robust, dark-feathered bird often found on forest floors. Males are mostly dark gray, featuring a striking yellow-orange air sac and a yellow comb above the eye during display, bordered by white feathers. Females are a mottled brown and gray, providing excellent camouflage. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Galliformes - **Family:** Phasianidae - **Genus:** Dendragapus ## Interesting facts - Chicks can leave the nest and find their own food just a few hours after hatching! - Did you know male Dusky Grouse puff up their chest sacs to look like big, colorful balloons? - In winter, they often bury themselves in soft snow to stay warm and hide from hungry predators! - They swallow tiny stones called grit, which helps them grind up tough plant foods like needles! ## Special abilities - **Winter Muncher:** Dusky Grouse can survive harsh winters by eating tough conifer needles, thanks to their strong gizzards. - **Booming Calls:** Males have inflatable neck sacs that let them make deep, resonant booming sounds to attract females. - **Forest Camo:** The Dusky Grouse has mottled brown and gray feathers that help them blend perfectly into the forest floor, hiding from predators. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 45-58 cm - **Wingspan:** 65-71 cm - **Weight:** 0.9-1.4 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-8 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 5-10 - **Incubation:** 25-26 days ## Diet & Feeding Dusky Grouse mostly munch on plants like leaves, berries, and conifer needles, especially in winter! - **Age differences:** Young chicks eat more insects for protein; adults are primarily herbivorous. - **Primary Foods:** conifer needles, leaves, buds, berries, catkins, insects - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Great Horned Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-horned-owl) (*Bubo virginianus*) — Owls hunt grouse in forests at dawn and dusk. - **Eaten by:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — Coyotes stalk grouse on the forest floor looking for a meal. - **Eats:** [Lodgepole Pine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lodgepole-pine) (*Pinus contorta*) — Grouse eat its tough needles, especially during winter. - **Eats:** Huckleberry (*Vaccinium membranaceum*) — They forage for sweet berries in late summer and fall. - **Shelter:** [Douglas Fir](https://www.snappit.app/explore/douglas-fir) (*Pseudotsuga menziesii*) — Tall firs provide roosting sites and protection from predators. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see a Dusky Grouse, watch quietly from a distance so you don't scare it away. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Dusky Grouse? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Dusky Grouse? 45-58 cm ### What is Dusky Grouse's wingspan? 65-71 cm ### How much does Dusky Grouse weigh? 0.9-1.4 kg ### How long does Dusky Grouse live? 3-8 years ### How fast can Dusky Grouse move? 60 km/h ### What does Dusky Grouse eat? Dusky Grouse mostly munch on plants like leaves, berries, and conifer needles, especially in winter! ### Where is Dusky Grouse usually found? Mountain regions ## Where to spot - [Great Northern Railway Buildings](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/great-northern-railway-buildings) — Montana, US · Historic Site - [North Entrance Road Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/north-entrance-road-historic-district) — Wyoming, US · Historic District - [Sherburne Ranger Station Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sherburne-ranger-station-historic-district) — Montana, US · Historic District - [Telluride Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/telluride-historic-district) — Colorado, US · Historic District - [Belly River Ranger Station Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/belly-river-ranger-station-historic-district) — Montana, US · Historic District - [Geraldine Lucas Homestead-Fabian Place Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/geraldine-lucas-homestead-fabian-place-historic-district) — Wyoming, US · Historic District [View all places to see Dusky Grouse](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/dusky-grouse) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Dusky Grouse: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dusky-grouse)