Grouse birds belong to the Pheasant family. There are 18 species of grouse and the majority of them are found in cold regions of the northern hemisphere, such as the Arctic Circle. They tend to inhabit deciduous forests, scrubland, moorland, prairies and tundras. Find out more!

They’re omnivores, which means that they eat both plants and meat. Young grouse birds have a diet of insects and rodents, while adult grouse birds have a diet of flowers, buds, shoots, seeds, berries, fruits and grass. Their main predators are foxes, bobcats, coyotes and various birds of prey, such as eagles.

These birds are territorial animals. Male grouse birds occupy a territory of 6 to 10 acres. Their territory will usually overlap with the territories of up to two nearby females. Grouse birds are solitary, though they will occasionally gather in groups during the winter to feed on any available food sources.

When attracting females, males will erect their neck feathers, expand their tails and use their wings to produce drumming sounds. After mating, females fly half a mile away to build a nest in the ground. The nest is cup shaped, usually 6 inches wide, 3 inches deep and lined with various vegetation.

Grouse bird offspring are precocial, which means that they’re ready to be independent immediately after birth. Within 5 days after birth, they’re able to fly. Within 10 days after birth, they can travel distances of up to 4 miles.