Dusky Grouse
Dendragapus obscurus
Large, dark chickenlike bird found in wooded habitats, usually with conifers and shrubby undergrowth. Typically seen on the ground; easiest to see in mid-summer when females and chicks frequent roadsides and trails. When male displays, ruffles neck feathers to reveal wrinkled purple-red skin and makes deep hooting noise. Female browner and more intricately patterned. Note large size and relatively long tail. Feeds on plant matter, especially conifer needles. Separate from Sooty Grouse by range.
Identification
Adults have a long square tail, gray at the end. Adult males are mainly dark with a purplish throat air sac surrounded by white, and a yellow to red wattle over the eye during display. Adult females are mottled brown with dark brown and white marks on the underparts.<p>Males are larger than females, with a male mean body mass of 1.21 kg (2.67 lbs.) compared to a mean 0.91 kg (2.01 lbs.) in females.
Taxonomy
The dusky grouse has four recognized subspecies:
- Scientific name
- Dendragapus obscurus
- Authority
- (Say, 1822)
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Genus
- Dendragapus
Range and habitat
The breeding habitat of the dusky grouse is the edges of conifer and mixed forests in mountainous regions of western North America, from southeastern Alaska and Yukon south to New Mexico. Their range is closely associated with that of various conifers. Their nest is a scrape on the ground concealed under a shrub or log.
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Behavior
Migration pattern: Vertical migration.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Onychoprion anaethetus
Tropical tern with gray back, black cap, and white forehead. Nonbreeding and immatures have a messy dark nape. Most similar to Sooty Tern but paler gray above with more extensive white tail edges, paler undersides of flight feathers, as well as longer and more slender eyebrow. Also compare with the paler Gray-backed Tern. Bridled Tern is found in warm tropical waters worldwide. It breeds on islands, usually concealed by a large rock or bush. Otherwise, usually stays far offshore, often seen perching on floating wood or debris. Rarely seen near land except when blown off course by a hurricane.
Dinelli's Doradito
Pseudocolopteryx dinelliana
Small yellowish flycatcher of marshlands in central and northern Argentina, moving north during the nonbreeding season. Similar to Subtropical, Warbling, and Ticking Doraditos, from which it is most easily identified by voice, but note brownish cap and brownish (as opposed to olive or gray) auriculars.
Red-breasted Goose
Branta ruficollis
Small and stocky rare goose with a small bill. From a distance, appears dark and dull, and often blends into flocks of other geese. When seen well, note the rich rusty breast and striking rusty and black-and-white head pattern. Mantle is dark and finely barred. White flank stripe is prominent on land and in flight. Also note the all dark underwings in flight. Breeds on the high arctic tundra, on islands, and coastal habitats. Winters mainly by the Black Sea.
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