Until recently, the Sooty Grouse and the Dusky Grouse were considered one species, the "Blue Grouse". Range differences, differences in plumage, and differences in voice help to differentiate the two species. The Sooty Grouse is found in forested areas near the Pacific Coast, from northern California all the way to southeastern Alaska, while the Dusky Grouse is found on more interior forested areas of western North America.
Habitat
The Sooty Grouse inhabits coniferous forests, mixed evergreen woodlands, mountain slopes, and forest edges of the Pacific Coast region from Alaska to California. It is especially associated with Douglas-fir, western hemlock, spruce, fir, and other conifer forests, often occurring in areas with a well-developed shrub layer and nearby openings. During winter, birds frequently move into dense conifer stands where they feed extensively on conifer needles.Diet
The diet is varied, dependent upon location and season, but may include conifer needles, leaves of herbaceous plants such as herbs and ferns, flowers, and other plant material. They will also feed on fruits, berries, seeds and nuts. Young Sooty Grouse feed on insects and spiders during the first several weeks of their life.Behavior
The Sooty Grouse is a largely terrestrial bird that spends much of its time walking quietly through forest understories while feeding on vegetation, berries, and insects. It often remains motionless when approached, relying on camouflage, but may suddenly explode into flight when flushed. Males perform conspicuous courtship displays in spring, inflating colorful neck air sacs, fanning the tail, and producing deep hooting calls. During winter, Sooty Grouse frequently spend long periods in conifer trees feeding on needles and resting high above the ground.Nesting
The nest of a Sooty Grouse is a depression on the ground, lined with conifer needles, twigs, strips of bark, leaves, and feathers. The female lays between 3 and 12 eggs, and she alone incubates them. The young can move and feed themselves after hatching, leaving the nest but being taken care of by the female for several weeks.Song
The Sooty Grouse is best known for the male's deep, low-frequency hooting display, often described as a series of five or six resonant whoomph notes that carry long distances through mountain forests. During courtship, males inflate colorful cervical air sacs while producing these sounds and displaying with fanned tails. Additional vocalizations include clucks, cackles, and soft contact calls used by females and broods.Migration
The Sooty Grouse is generally nonmigratory, but many populations make seasonal elevational movements. Birds often breed at higher elevations during spring and summer, then move to lower-elevation conifer forests in winter where food is more readily available. These movements are usually local and involve changes in elevation rather than long-distance migration.Interactive eBird Map
Click here to access an interactive map of Sooty Grouse sightingsSimilar Species
Dusky Grouse: Sooty Grouse are generally darker and more uniformly sooty-gray, while Dusky Grouse tend to appear paler and grayer overall. Range is often the best clue, with Sooty Grouse occurring along the Pacific Coast and Dusky Grouse occupying more inland mountain regions.
Spruce Grouse: Spruce Grouse are smaller and more compact, with males showing bold white spotting and a bright red eye comb. Sooty Grouse are larger, longer-tailed birds of mountainous forests and lack the extensive white spotting typical of Spruce Grouse.
Ruffed Grouse: Ruffed Grouse have a distinctive fan-shaped tail with a broad dark terminal band and prominent neck ruffs, features absent in Sooty Grouse. Sooty Grouse are larger, darker birds of western conifer forests, whereas Ruffed Grouse are more often associated with deciduous and mixed woodlands.
