Black grouse  (Tetrao tetrix)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Range

Found in fragmented areas throughout northern and central Europe, almost reaching the Pacific coast (6). In Britain the black grouse is found in Scotland, the north of England, and in scattered areas of Wales (7).

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Habitat

In Britain the black grouse occupies a mosaic of woodland and scrub with an understory of heather (Caluna vulgaris) and bilberry (Vaccinium myrtilus). They may also inhabit rough grazing land, hay meadows and forestry plantations, as their preferred habitat is now scarce (6).

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