Capercaillie is one of the largest birds living in the forests. Its weight reaches 5 kg. The capercaillie has several popular names: a moss fly, a deaf black grouse, a swindler. This bird is from the pheasant family (order chicken).
A bit about the types of capercaillie
The capercaillie is a representative of one of the largest species of game birds. The capercaillie species is divided into 3 subspecies: capercaillie, living in the eastern and central regions of Russia; dark taiga that lives in the eastern and northern regions of the country; Western European black-bellied (in the forests of the western territories of the country).
Capercaillie ordinary: photo, description
Capercaillie - the largest bird of grouse (subfamily).
It differs from other representatives by the tail, strongly rounded, and unusual feathers elongated on the throat.
The plumage of the capercaillie is dark with a metallic tinge, a bright red eyebrow, feathers under its beak look like a “beard”. The female capercaillie is painted more colorful (a mixture of rusty yellow, rusty brown, rusty red and white). And her throat, part of the upper chest and part of the wing are rusty red.
The capercaillie is a bird, the sizes of which in males and females differ greatly. Males reach 110 cm and more, their wings have a wingspan of 1.4 m. Females are much smaller - by 1/3. The head of the male is blackish. The neck on the back is ash gray with black spots, on the front is gray-black. The color of the back is blackish with specks of gray and brown. The chest has a greenish-steel color, its lower side is covered with white and black spots. The tail is black with white spots, the wings are brown. The beak has a white-pink color.
Distribution, habitat
The capercaillie usually lives in the coniferous, mixed and deciduous forests of Eurasia.
Practically this bird leads a sedentary lifestyle, but it happens that sometimes it makes seasonal migrations.
Once upon a time, grouse were found in all forests of Eurasia, in the east of Siberia, right up to Transbaikalia (the western part). In the 18-20th centuries, the number and habitat of the capercaillie greatly decreased, and in places these birds even disappeared. By the mid-18th century in the UK, these birds were completely exterminated. But subsequently, in 1837, the capercaillie was again brought back from Sweden and took root perfectly.
In the Russian territories, due to the deforestation of numerous forests, capercaillie populations began to recede to the northern part of the country, and in some southern regions in their forest zones (Tula, Voronezh, Kursk, etc.) these birds completely disappeared. In addition to Russia and Sweden, the capercaillie can also be found in Greece, Spain, the Alps, the Carpathians, Asia Minor and the Middle German mountains.
The capercaillie prefers more remote places in forests.
Characteristic of this bird is spring current, occurring mostly on trees. The capercaillie has many peculiar features.
Description of behavior and habits
In the summer, molting is observed in capercaillie. At this time, they fly into particularly dense forests.
In such a period, a peculiar behavior is observed in these birds: they periodically raise their tail and lower it, their head is also raised and thrown, while slowly moving along the branch.
The capercaillie usually sings so enthusiastically that it becomes deaf for a certain period. Hence its name went: wood grouse. The female, in turn, flies to the current, where mating takes place, after which they leave it together and settle in the most remote and impassable places of the forest, where their molting takes place.
Capercaillie periodically appears in mixed and deciduous forests. Love these birds and moss swamps, which are rich in a variety of berries.
The bird flies heavily, noisily, often flapping its wings loudly, and mainly makes small flights.
Capercaillie spends daytime on the ground, and sleeps on tree branches. Sometimes it is overly aggressive when other animals appear. Cases are known that sometimes the capercaillie tried to attack dogs and other small animals (stories of the inhabitants of Norway).
The capercaillie is quite careful, has excellent hearing and good eyesight. Therefore, hunting for him is considered difficult.
Progeny
The main concern for the offspring lies with the female. She arranges a nest on the ground, more often under the shelter of bushes or fallen trees, where in the future she lays eggs. Full clutch usually consists of approximately 5-16 eggs.
The female incubates eggs herself. She also continues to take care of hatched chicks: heats, protects from predators.
Nutrition
The main type of food of grouse in the spring and summer is plant shoots, various flowers, tree buds, leaves, grass, forest berries, seeds and insects. In autumn, these birds feed mainly on larch needles, and in winter they are attracted by spruce and pine needles and buds. Chicks have a special diet: spiders and insects.
Conclusion
The capercaillie is one of the most valuable objects of hunting for hunters. In this regard, in many areas of both Russia and other countries of the world, he has become a rather rare inhabitant, and has disappeared somewhere, and various measures are being taken to protect this species.
The capercaillie is listed in the Red Book of Russia and the Tula Region. This should be remembered to everyone who is fond of hunting.
For further clarification of the number, concentration and status of this bird in Russia, detailed and lengthy studies are needed.