The Blue Grouse was recently split into two species, the coastal Sooty Grouse Dendragapus fuliginosus and the interior Dusky Grouse Dendragapus obscurus. Details from the AOU, - Forty-seventh Supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union Check-list of North American Birds.
Other Names: Blue Grouse, Coastal Grouse
Range: Western North America, from Southeastern Alaska to the southern Sierra Nevada MOuntains in California.
Subspecies: D. f. fuliginosus, D. f. sitkensis, D. f. sierrae and D. f. howardi.
Habitat: Varied, forest edges and open canopy.
Brief Description: Male, Overall bluish-gray (darker than obscurus) plumage with white mottling on back and breast; the air sacs on sides of neck v yellow surrounded by white feathers; comb above eye is yellow, turning to red during courtship; the tail is black with a gray terminal band. Female, Similar to male in general apperance, but being mostly brown with white mottling not as intense, much smaller combs above eyes. Both sexes with feathered tarsus and toes.
Status in Wild: Fluctuating population; howardi is decreasing due to habitat loss.
Avicultural Data
Status in Aviculture: Still relatively uncommon in aviculture.
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Photo Credits
(l to r): 1, Andrew Hunt.
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