Red Grouse

Red grouse are a medium sized member of the grouse family and can be found on upland heather moorland and peat bogs, only in the British Isles & Ireland.

The male's plummage is a dark reddish brown colour, black tips at the corner of his tail, white stripes underwing, white feathered feet and red fleshy combs above his eyes. The female's colouring around the tail, underwing and feet are the same as the male's but her plummage is less reddish brown and the red comb above the eye is less prominent. To note: slight difference's may accure in plummage colour depending on the geography of the bird. The birds also have a distictive call which can be heard for miles (go-bak-go-bak).

Red grouse are monogamous and pair off during the Autumn, they hold a territory then around April-May they lay approx 6-9 eggs (incubation takes 22-25 days). Both male and female help to raise and defend the chicks.

Red grouse mainly feed on heather and shoots, although they will feed upon seasonal berries, cereal crops and insects.

Red grouse are not that hard to keep but they do take a lot more time and effort. These birds have quite a character and are a good grouse for beginners.