The dusky grouse is a species of forest-dwelling grouse native to the Rocky Mountains in North America. It is closely related to the sooty grouse, and the two were previously considered a single species, the blue grouse.
Region
Interior western North America
Typical Environment
Found from southern Yukon and interior British Columbia through Alberta and the Rocky Mountains south to New Mexico and Arizona, also occupying many interior ranges of the Great Basin and Intermountain West. It favors mature coniferous forests (fir, spruce, pine, Douglas-fir) with patchy openings, edges, and understory shrubs. During winter it often uses higher-elevation subalpine forests, shifting to lower elevations in the breeding season. It uses forest edges, meadows, and riparian corridors for feeding and brood-rearing.
Altitude Range
600–3600 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The dusky grouse inhabits coniferous and mixed montane forests of the interior western United States and Canada. Males perform low, resonant hooting displays from trees and show bright yellow-orange eye combs and inflated neck sacs in breeding season. In winter they shift upslope to feed extensively on conifer needles, then move downslope in spring and summer. Formerly lumped with the sooty grouse as the 'blue grouse', it is now recognized as a distinct species.
Temperament
solitary and wary, males territorial in breeding season
Flight Pattern
explosive takeoff with short rapid wingbeats, then gliding between trees
Social Behavior
Outside the breeding season they may form small, loose groups, especially hens with broods. Males display individually from trees or elevated perches rather than on open leks, advertising territories with hoots. Nests are shallow ground scrapes concealed under shrubs or deadfall, with clutches typically 5–10 eggs. The species is polygynous; females provide all parental care.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
The male’s display includes a series of low, resonant hoots that carry far through forested slopes, often given at dawn or dusk. Additional soft clucks and growls occur at close range, and wing-whirrs may accompany takeoff or display. Females give quiet clucks to maintain contact with chicks.
