grouse

The capercaillie, with its distinctive black plumage and spectacular courtship display, is an impressive inhabitant of European and Asian forests. This fact sheet highlights important aspects of its biology and ecology and supports awareness-raising for its conservation and protection.

The capercaillie reaches a wingspan of 70 to 125 cm. Its diet consists of buds, leaves, needles, fruits, and seeds. Its life expectancy is up to 13 years.

Capercaillie for Gardens, Nature Trails & Education

Profile: grouse

  • Scientific classification

    • Class: Aves (birds)
    • Order: Galliformes (gallinaceous birds)
    • Family: Phasianidae (Pheasants)
    • Genus: Tetrao (Grouse)
    • Species: T. urogallus (Capercaillie)

  • Physical characteristics

    • Size (male): 74-90 cm long
    • Size (female): 54-60 cm long
    • Weight (male): 3.0-6.5 kg
    • Weight (female): 1.5-2.5 kg
    • Wingspan: 70-125 cm
    • Plumage: Males with black-blue shimmering plumage with white accents; females in camouflage brown

  • Habitat and distribution

    • Common regions: From the forests of Europe to Asia
    • Habitat: Prefers dense old coniferous forests with clearings
    • Adaptation: Adapted to cold and temperate climates

  • Nutrition

    • Diet Type: Herbivore
    • Food: buds, leaves, needles, fruits and seeds

  • Reproduction and lifestyle

    • Mating season: March to May
    • Nest building: ground nests
    • Number of eggs: 5-12 per brood
    • Breeding behavior: Female breeds alone, protects the breeding site from predators

  • Lifespan and protection status

    • Life expectancy: Up to 13 years in the wild
    • Endangered status: Endangered by habitat loss and hunting
    • Protection measures: nature reserves and hunting restrictions

  • That's how big the capercaillie really is

    • Capercaillie: 56 × 58 cm

    Dimensions of the life-size standees (width × height), printed to a 1:1 scale.

    To the exhibitors 

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