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A photo of a Western Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), male
Western Capercaillie, Male

Western Capercaillie

Tetrao urogallus

The western capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), also known as the Eurasian capercaillie, wood grouse, heather cock, cock-of-the-woods, or simply capercaillie , is a heavy member of the grouse family and the largest of all extant grouse species. Found across Europe and the Palearctic, this primarily-ground-dwelling forest grouse is renowned for its courtship display. This bird shows extreme sexual dimorphism, with males nearly twice the size of females. The global population is listed as "least concern" under the IUCN, although the populations of central Europe are declining and fragmented, or possibly extirpated. Male and female western capercaillie can easily be differentiated by their size and colouration. The cock is much bigger than the hen. It is one of the most sexually dimorphic in size of living bird species, only exceeded by the larger types of bustards and a select few members of the pheasant family.
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Western Capercaillies on Birda

Sightings

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Angaari De
Wednesday 02 Aug 2023 - 6:06pm
Finland
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Lisa Kreye
Wednesday 05 Jul 2023 - 8:02am
Finland
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Greg Green
Wednesday 26 Apr 2023 - 4:38pm
Sweden
A map showing the sighting location
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Greg Green
Sunday 23 Apr 2023 - 9:10am
Sweden
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