The red grouse, a medium-sized bird, is a distinctive symbol of the British Isles, particularly its heather-dominated moorlands. This species (Lagopus scotica) is native to Great Britain and Ireland, having evolved in isolation from other ptarmigan subspecies. Its striking appearance and deep connection to these unique landscapes have captivated observers for centuries. It is sometimes called the moorcock, moorfowl, or moorbird, names reflecting its close ties to its habitat.
Distinctive Features
The red grouse has reddish-brown plumage, distinguishing it from relatives like willow and rock ptarmigans, which typically develop white winter plumage. Its rich, gingery-brown body, often with pale-edged feathers and darker barring, provides effective camouflage within heather and peat bogs. Its tail is short and black, contrasting with white legs and feathered feet—an adaptation that helps it navigate snowy terrain and retain warmth.
Males have bright red, fleshy wattles, or “eyebrows,” above their eyes. These wattles become more prominent during breeding, playing a role in courtship and territorial assertions. Females are duller, browner, and less reddish than males, with smaller, less conspicuous wattles that may disappear in winter. Juveniles are even duller and lack these red crests. White stripes on the underwings are also a distinguishing characteristic, visible during flight.
Habitat and Diet
Red grouse thrive in heather moorland, predominantly found in upland areas of the British Isles. These landscapes, characterized by expansive heather (Calluna vulgaris), provide abundant food and essential cover from predators. The species is largely sedentary, remaining in its chosen habitat year-round and moving to lower elevations or farmland only during severe winters.
Their diet is highly specialized, relying heavily on heather. Approximately 70-80% of their food consists of heather shoots, flowers, and seeds. During colder months, when other food is scarce, they consume the tougher, woody stems of older heather plants. This primary reliance on heather is supplemented by other plant materials like berries, grass seeds, and flowering plants, especially in spring and autumn. In summer, they also consume insects and invertebrates, which are important for providing protein to growing chicks.
Life Cycle and Behavior
Red grouse are ground-dwelling birds that form monogamous pairs for the breeding season, which usually begins in late March. Males establish and vigorously defend territories, using aggressive chases, calls, and sometimes physical confrontations to maintain dominance and ensure resources for their mate and offspring. Their distinctive calls, often described as a loud “go-back, go-back” or a rapid, bubbling sound, are used for territorial displays and communication.
Females create a shallow ground scrape, usually concealed within dense heather or other vegetation. This nest is lined with grass, moss, and heather, providing a camouflaged and protected site. Females lay a clutch of 6 to 9 eggs, typically between April and May. These are pale cream with reddish-brown spots, allowing them to blend into the moorland environment. Incubation, performed solely by the female, lasts approximately 23 days.
Red grouse chicks are precocial, hatching with downy feathers and open eyes, capable of leaving the nest within 24 hours. Initially, their diet consists primarily of insects and invertebrates, providing the high protein needed for rapid growth. They can fly short distances by 12-13 days old and become independent after 10-12 weeks, gradually transitioning to an adult heather diet. The average lifespan of a red grouse is 2 to 3 years, though some individuals may live longer.
Conservation and Population Management
Red grouse conservation is influenced by habitat availability, disease, and predation. While populations fluctuate cyclically, long-term declines in some areas have led to their classification on UK conservation concern lists. Moorland management plays a significant role in sustaining red grouse numbers, particularly given their economic importance as a game bird.
Moorland management often involves controlled burning or cutting of heather in rotation. This creates a mosaic of different-aged heather, providing nutritious young shoots for food and denser, older heather for cover and nesting. Managed burning also encourages invertebrate populations, a food source for grouse chicks.
Predator control is another common management strategy aimed at increasing grouse populations. Foxes, grey crows, magpies, and mink are among the nest predators that can significantly impact grouse breeding success. While some predator control measures are legal and regulated, debate and scrutiny continue regarding their application and potential impact on other wildlife species. Effective management often requires cooperation across wide areas to address factors like habitat loss from overgrazing or conifer plantations.