Spruce Grouse

Identification

The spruce grouse is a medium-sized grouse measuring 38–43 cm (15–17 in) long, with males weighing 550–650 g and females 450–550 g. Adult males are distinctive, with grey upperparts and black underparts, white spots along the sides, and a striking red patch of bare skin above the eye known as the "eyebrow comb." Adult females display either a red morph or grey morph plumage, both heavily mottled with dark and white bars on the underparts. Juveniles resemble females. When distinguishing females from similar ruffed grouse, note that spruce grouse have a dark tail with a pale band at the end (the reverse of ruffed grouse), and they do not erect their crown feathers when alarmed.

Range & Habitat

As a specialist of the boreal taiga, the spruce grouse is found throughout Canada and in the United States across Alaska, northern New England, the Adirondacks of New York, northern Michigan, northeastern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, and the montane coniferous forests of Montana, Idaho, Maine, Oregon, and Washington. These birds are always associated with conifer-dominated forests of pine, spruce, or fir, showing a preference for young successional stands. In summer they favour areas with rich understory of blueberries and other shrubs, while in winter they prefer denser forest stands.

The spruce grouse is essentially a permanent resident throughout most of its range, though some seasonal movements have been documented. In southwestern Alberta, up to 35% of females and 7% of males migrate several kilometres between summer breeding sites and wintering areas, with similar movements recorded in Alaska and New Brunswick.

Behaviour & Diet

One of the most arboreal grouse species, the spruce grouse is well adapted to perching and moving about in trees, preferring to walk on the ground or along tree limbs rather than fly. When threatened by predators, the species relies remarkably on camouflage and immobility, sometimes allowing people to approach within just a few feet before taking flight—behaviour that earned it the colloquial name "fool hen." In autumn, like other grouse, spruce grouse develop "snow shoes" (short lateral extensions on their toes called pectinations) that increase toe surface area, helping support the bird on snow and likely improving grip on branches.

Spruce grouse are among the most silent of all grouse species, though they produce various calls for predator warning, territorial defence, brood cohesion, and brooding. The subspecies franklinii is notable for its wing-clap territorial display: males produce two sharp claps about half a second apart at the end of a short flight through the trees, audible up to 150 m away. These displays can sometimes be triggered by similar hand clapping and are useful for detecting and estimating male territory density. Other non-vocal sounds include soft drumming by territorial males and tail-swish and whoosh sounds produced by tail feathers in flight.

Best Time & Places to See It

To find spruce grouse, focus your search on coniferous boreal forests dominated by pine, spruce, or fir, particularly in younger successional stands. Summer offers the advantage of locating birds near understory areas rich with blueberries and other shrubs. In winter, concentrate your efforts in denser forest stands. The species' year-round residence in most of its range means it can be sought throughout the year, though spring and early summer may provide the best opportunities to observe territorial males and hear their distinctive wing-clap displays.

Photography Tips

The spruce grouse's remarkable tolerance of human approach is a significant advantage for photographers—these birds may allow you to come within just a few feet before flushing. Use this extraordinary tameness to capture detailed images of the male's distinctive red eyebrow comb and grey-and-black plumage, or the mottled patterns of females. Early morning light in the forest canopy will best reveal the birds' plumage details. Since they prefer to walk on the ground and along branches rather than fly, patience and slow movement through suitable conifer habitat will increase your chances of positioning yourself for optimal shots. In spring, try to locate calling males using hand-clap mimicry of their wing-clap displays, but do so respectfully to avoid excessive disturbance to territorial birds.