Capercaillie  (Tetrao urogallus)

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

Range

The capercaillie became extinct in Britain in the 18th century, as a result of wide-scale forest clearance and hunting, birds from Sweden were re-introduced into Scotland in the 19th century. Its current UK range is centred on the Cairngorm region of upland Scotland, but extends westward to the woodland around Loch Lomond and northwards to Spey side.

The Scottish birds represent a very small percentage of the world population, which extends throughout the forests of mountainous and boreal regions of Scandinavia, central Europe, northern Asia and Siberia. This range, too, is also declining as a result of forest clearance.

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

Habitat

The Scottish population is restricted largely to pine forests, in particular the old Caledonian Forest habitat, although it will tolerate man-made plantations as long as they provide suitable feeding and ‘lekking’ sites. It is important that the woodland contains trees of differing age ranges as well as boggy areas providing a good source of insects for chick feeding. Equally vital is the availability of open areas where the male birds can perform their courtship ‘leks’.

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