Capercaillie

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Scientific name:  Tetrao urogallus

Size:  Up to 85cm

Distribution:  Rare. Confined to forests of north Scotland

Months seen:  All year round

Habitat:  Caledonian scots pine forests

Food:  Seeds, pine needles and buds

Special features:  Despite being the size of a turkey, the Capercaillie is notoriously difficult to spot in it's native habitat.  Also famed for its call which sound like a cork popping from a bottle.

The male capercaillie has black plumage which has an irridescent green sheen.  The wings are dark brown and there is a small white patch on each shoulder.  The undersides of the wings and rump are also white.  The beak is a greyish white.

The female Capercaillie has orange-brown coloured plumage which is heavily marked with black bars.  The beak is grey.

Related Pages

• UK Safari Bird Section
• What's Out Now?