Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix   [Linnaeus, 1758]

Other Names Trends & Distribution Breeding & Survival Biometrics Books & Links

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Order: Galliformes Family: Tetraonidae
BTO Codes: BK, BLAGR EURING No: 3320
Number in Britain: 5100 males (Summer)
Conservation Status:
UK: RED
European: 3 Concern, most not in Europe; Depleted
Global: Least Concern ( Details )
Links to: Images   Videos   Sound  
Status in UK: (A)  Resident Breeder
Subspecies: britannicus recorded in Britain (of 6 subsp. in the world)
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Length: 48 cm Wingspan: 72 cm Weight: M: 1.2 kg   F: 925    
Scientific name from: Gr.: tetraon=a type of gamebird and Gr.: tetrix=a groundbird mentioned by Aristotle, poss. a gamebird
World Distribution: n Eurasia
Habitat: Forest & forest edge
Diet: Plant material, according to availability (eg heather, Vaccinium, Empetrum)
TitBit: Blackcock have an elaborate courtship display. Males gather in arenas ("leks") and attempt to attract females, the dominant males will hold forth near the centre of the lek, and be most successful.  

Population and Distribution

Population Trend: No population trend available
Distribution: Atlas Maps    (Local Atlases)   
British Population Size:
    Summer: 5078 males in 2005
    First Record: 15th Century [Fossil evidence from Devensian (last) glaciation, 10-120,000 yr ago]
    Latest Survey: Eaton, M.A. et al. (2006) State of the UK's birds 2005 RSPB, Sandy
    Conservation Status: RED because Historical Population Decline, Recent Breeding Population Decline (1981-2007),
   Previous Assessments: 2002-2007 RED     1996-2001 RED  
   Races of Concern: britannicus RED (Recent Decline)
UK Biodiversity Action Plan (Lead Partner: GCT, RSPB)
Habitat Occupancy (in the Breeding Season):
    No habitat data from BBS
European Population Size:
    Summer: 515 thousand to 1.1 million pairs
Population Assesment from Birds in Europe
Distribution in Europe
Listed on the Appendices/Schedules of: WBD(I*,II*,III*), Bern(III)
Survey Results: BirdTrack

Breeding and Survival

Egg Size: 50 x 36 mm Egg Weight: 35.5 g (of which 7 % is shell)
Number of Nest Records: 2
Clutch Size: 6 - 11 eggs
Incubation: 25- 27 days   by the: Female
Fledging: 10 - 14days as: Precocial, downy
First Clutches Laid: Unavailable
Number of Broods: 1
Number Ringed: 5 (Annual Totals)
Adult Survival: 0.720 ± 0.070       
Juvenile Survival: 0.460 (in First-Year)  
Age at First Breeding: Typical Lifespan: No data
Maximum Recorded Age: 3 years 9 months 18 days (set in 1962)
Summary of Ringing Recoveries       

Biometrics

Ring Size: G*
Wing Length Adult: Insufficient Data
Juvenile: Insufficient Data
Male: Insufficient Data
Female: Insufficient Data
Weight Adult: Insufficient Data
Juvenile: Insufficient Data
Male: Insufficient Data
Female: Insufficient Data

Other Names

 
Gaelic: Coileach-dubh Welsh: Grugiar Ddu
Danish: Urfugl Dutch: Korhoen
Finnish: Teeri French: Tétras lyre
German: Birkhuhn Hungarian: Nyírfajd
Icelandic: Orri Irish:
Italian: Fagiano di monte Norwegian: Orrfugl
Polish: Cietrzew zwyczajny Portuguese: Galo-lira
Spanish: Gallo lira Swedish: Orre
Local Names:Blackcock (m) Grey Hen (f)

For More Information...

Books and Monographs:
   Lindstrom, J. et al. 1998 BWP Update 2:173-191
   Madge, S. & MacGowan, P. 2002 Pheasants, partridges and grouse Pica Press, Sussex [598.544 MAD]
   Watson, A. & Moss, R. 2008 Grouse Collins, London [598.543 WAT]
See Also:
Find scientific papers on Google Scholar or Scirus by clicking the icon
Wikipedia entry
BirdLife species page
Recent sightings and information from BirdGuides
State of the Nations Birds by Chris Mead