Blue Grouse (Dendragapus obscurus)

The slate-gray body color, solid black tail, and large size (up to 53 cm, or 21 in. long) of the blue grouse are distinctive characteristics. Hens are stippled with light brown but are otherwise similar in color to cocks. Blue grouse occur only in the foothills and mountains. They spend their winters in high coniferous forests near timberline. Conifer needles and buds make up about 95 percent of their winter diet.

In spring, grouse move down to lightly wooded mountain valleys or foothills. Choosing an open area, the cock sets up a territory, strutting and hooting to announce his presence and attract hens. Yellow-to-orange eye combs are enlarged, and tail feathers are fanned. White-based neck feathers are raised reveal- ing bright yellow or purple skin patches. After mating, the hen chooses a nest site, often at the base of a tree or under a log. She lays from 5 to 10 eggs that are buff-colored, and finely spotted with light brown. Incubation takes about 25 days. When hatched, the brood leaves the nest with the hen. In late summer, large family groups disperse and individual or small groups of birds then make their way up to the forests of their winter range.

Specific season information is provided in the current Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations, available on-line and in hard copy.