Photo by Joey Georgekish
Spruce Grouse are found in Alaska and across Canada. Kenn Kaufman in his 'Birds of North America' says "Although it is fairly common across the great northern forest, this grouse can be hard to find because it is too tame, sitting motionless while a birder walks right past".
They are widespread but tame and retiring and easily overlooked, according to a National Geographic field guide to eastern birds, adding: "Spruce Grouse inhabit open coniferous and taiga forest with dense undergrowth...frequent roadsides, especially in fall."
Males look gray, with white edging on black throat and chest, and red "combs" above each eye. They also have a rusty tip on the tail. Females have two colour morphs, red and gray. Juveniles resemble the red-morph female.
The Audubon Handbook of Eastern Birds says Spruce Grouse are: "Usually exceedingly tame and easily approached; hence the nickname "fool hen".
The photo above was taken my nephew Joey Georgekish, the son of my sister Denise and her late husband Fred Georgekish, a full-blooded Cree Indian. Joey grew up with his parents in the village of Wemindji, on the eastern shore of James Bay in Quebec, and is quite familiar with birdlife in that part of Canada.
Please comment if you wish.
BarrytheBirder
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