Sooty Grouse

These permanent residents of the mountainous mixed forest regions from southeastern Alaska south to California are a native species to this region.  The Sooty Grouse (Dendragapus fuliginosus) used to be considered a single species, labeled The Blue Grouse, along with the closely related Dusky Grouse (Dendragapus obscurus).  Due to habitat loss in the southern end of the Sooty Grouse range in the southern region of California the Sooty Grouse is experiencing a slight decline in population.

Sometimes they will seek denser forests in winter, and occasionally, they will move short distances to a higher altitude in winter months.  The birds forage the ground for fir needles, the occasional hemlock or pine needles, and once summer comes so does the availability of green plants and insects. Grasshoppers, ants and beetles serve as the primary food for the first ten days of the young chick’s life, concealed in small smooth nests nestled under a shrub or fallen tree. Once the females mate they will leave the male’s territory.

The adult female Sooty Grouse is spotty brown with underparts of white and dark brown marks.  During display, the adult male has a yellow wattle over his eye and is mostly brown in color, with a yellow throat air sac surrounded by white.  His song has deep hoots and to attract the female he will make short flapping movements.