lat.: Lyrurus tetrix

The male is much bigger than the female - he is called a Black Cock and she is a Grey Hen. The males have some white in the wing, and white under tail and lower belly with amazing lyre-shaped curved tail feathers. He also has a red eye- brow. The female is browner and rather dowdy.

The males lek - that is they compete for females on a display ground which is often very traditional.

Diet
Birds live mainly on plant material, often from trees and shrubs

Habitat
The big grouse is found on heathland and the forest edge over much of the colder temperate areas

Area
Europe and Asia, especially in Russia and Baltic countries.

Finland, Sweden, Russia, Belarus, Switzerland