Key information
The black-billed capercaillie (Tetrao urogalloides) is a large grouse species closely related to the more widespread western capercaillie which breeds in the larch taiga forests of eastern Russia as well as parts of northern Mongolia and China.
Length : Male 89–97 cm, female 69–75 cm
Weight : male 3350–4580 g, female 1700–2200 g.
Population : The population is not known but suspected to have declined owing to over-hunting.
Habitat: It frequents montane forests and taiga.
Diet: It has vegetarian diet which largely on larch buds and shoots, and also pine and fir needles, birch catkins and buds, and fruits of Rosa acicularis, all taken during the winter.
During spring and autumn, it feeds on berries and leaves of several plant species, and some caterpillars, midges and ant eggs.
Location
Birds of the Month
