BIRDING TO THE EDG

The Blue Grouse split has been an interesting one since I've been birding. These birds simply can be separated by location which makes the species' rather easy to differentiate. Dusky (interior west) Grouse inhabits mid-elevation habitats throughout the mountain west. Quaking Aspen stands are often the primary choice habitat always with a decent amount of understory which aspens usually provide. You will also notice open fields close to a sighting indicating they prefer edge habitats as well. Males will often boom giving their low, resonant hoom-hoom-hoom, from a rock or tree snag anywhere from 2-8 feet off of the ground. I have always found the females about 15-20 feet up in a tree while this display is going on.

From plumage, you can always distinguish the females by their extreme dorsal mottling above and their distinct gray belly patch. Males will be darker all over (including the belly) with less overall mottling.



In the fall, after the clutch has hatched the female will descend the mountains in search of more food while the young are still dependent. The clutch involves 7-9 chicks which the mother looks after for a short period of time. When they descend in the fall they will most often be found in open fields. If flushed the birds will most certainly fly into a tree as much as 30 feet high.

Once the winter commences, these birds migrate back up the mountain to dense conifer forest, primarily spruce. This is where they will spend the winter feeding off of conifer cones.