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Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix [Linnaeus, 1758]
Other Names
Trends & Distribution
Breeding & Survival
Biometrics
Books & Links
Order:
Galliformes
Family:
Tetraonidae
BTO Codes:
BK, BLAGR
EURING No:
3320
Number in Britain:
Unavailable
Conservation Status:
UK:
RED
European:
3 Concern, most not in Europe; Depleted
Global:
Least Concern
Links to: Images
Videos
Sound
Status in UK:
(A) Resident Breeder
Subspecies:
britannicus recorded in Britain (of 6 subsp. in the world)
.
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:
New Atlas )
British Population Size:
Summer:
. 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)
Habitat Occupancy (in the Breeding Season):
No habitat data from BBS
European Population Size:
Summer:
515 thousand to 1.1 million pairs
Birds in Europe
Listed on the Appendices/Schedules of:
WBD(I*,II*,III*), Bern(III)
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
Adult Survival:
No data
Juvenile Survival:
0.520 (in First-Year)
Age at First Breeding:
Typical Lifespan:
No data
Maximum Recorded Age:
3yr 9m
(Finland: 12yr 3m)
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:
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