Family Pheasants, Partridges, Turkeys, Grouse (Phasianidae)
Least Concern
Sooty Grouse (Dendragapus fuliginosus)
Taxonomy
French: Tétras fuligineux German: Küstengebirgshuhn Spanish: Gallo fuliginoso
Taxonomy:
Canace obscura var. fuligniosa
[sic] Ridgway
, 1873,Cascade Mountains and Chiloweyuck Depot, Washington
.
Subspecies and Distribution
D. f. sitkensis
Swarth, 1921 – Alexander Archipelago (SE Alaska) S to Queen Charlotte Is (British Columbia).
D. f. fuliginosus
(Ridgway, 1873) – coastal mountains from S Yukon and British Columbia (including Vancouver I) S to NW California, ranging interiorly in N California to W Siskiyou and Trinity Counties.
D. f. sierrae
Chapman, 1904 – inner coastal ranges of W USA from C Washington (Cascades) S to C California (Sierra Nevada), E to Warner Mts and W Nevada (Carson Range).
D. f. howardi
Dickey & van Rossem, 1923 – California from S Sierra Nevada (from 37° N) S to Greenhorn Mts; apparently extirpated farther S, on Piute Mts, Tehachapi Mts, Mt Pinos and Frazier Mt.
Descriptive notes
Male 47–57 cm, 1117–1245 g; female 44–48 cm, c. 829–890 g. Relatively large grouse. Male mostly dark grey or slate-coloured, with pale tailband;... read more
Voice
Male’s song is basically similar to that of D. obscurus, but with several notable... read more
Habitat
Open montane forest from lower treeline to alpine/subalpine areas, in variety of pine, juniper,... read more
Food and feeding
During winter months feeds almost entirely (c. 88%) on needles of firs (Pseudotsuga, Abies), sometimes those of pines (... read more
Breeding
Lays late Apr–Jun. Male territories are usually held for life; in California, hooting sites generally on upper portions of W-facing slopes... read more
Movements
Makes post-breeding shift to higher levels, where it spends winter months before descending in... read more
Status and conservation
Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Has reasonably large range, extending from SE Alaska and W Canada S to SW USA (California). Race howardi apparently lost... read more
Often lumped with D. obscurus, but separated#R on basis of molecular evidence#R, a decision supported by yellow, not red, exposed breast patch in display (3); distinct pale tailband (2); and differences in hooting song#R, involving usually six vs usually five syllables (“hoots”) given at both higher pitch (110–175 Hz vs 50–100 Hz) and louder volume (audible to 500 m vs audible to 40 m) (at least 2). Races sierrae and howardi sometimes placed in D. obscurus#R. Four subspecies recognized.