Sharp-tailed grouse

A grouse of open northern and western landscapes, known for communal displays.

Field guide

A grouse of open northern and western landscapes, known for communal displays.

Identification

Shared features

Pointed central tail feathers, pale spotted wings and a short crest.

Male

Adult males have pointed central tail feathers and, in display, violet neck air sacs and a yellow eyebrow. Outside display the sexes look similar.

Female

Females share the spotted brown plumage and pointed tail shape but lack the male's inflated display sacs. At rest, plumage alone rarely gives a confident sex.

Habitat

Open barrens, shrublands, grassland and nearby wintering trees.

Where to look during the day

Morning

At dawn in spring, watch established display grounds from a distance; otherwise scan open feeding cover.

Afternoon

In the afternoon, birds may rest in shrubs or sheltered grass.

Evening

At dusk, check edges of open ground and shrub cover.

Sounds

Displays include cooing, clucking and rapid foot-stamping sounds.

Recorded calls

Sharp-tailed grouse

Field recording of a sharp-tailed grouse. A narrower call type or the caller's sex is not assigned to this clip.

wildcarrot · Recording source

Natural history source: Read the source

Bag limits

Bag and possession summaries.

-All grouse and grey partridge: bag limit of five per day, and a total possession limit of 15.

Daily: 5Possession: 15

Official bag-limit source