Red Grouse / Cearc Fhraoigh / Lagopus lagopus

Did you know?

• Known as cearc fhraoigh as Gaeilge which means bird of heather
• Smaller than pheasants and have a rounded tail
• Ling heather Calluna vulgaris is crucial in the life cycle of red grouse
• They feed on young heather shoots, flowers and seed. Berries such as fraocháns or bilberry and some insects are eaten.
• Red grouse are a red listed species, meaning it has a high conservation concern
• Nest on the ground
• Takes off explosively and flies with a series of rapid wing beats followed by a short glide.

What to watch for:

Size: Smaller than a pheasant, rounded body, wings and tail.

Coloration:

• Males have a deep red-brown plumage with paler underwings, white feathered legs and a bright red comb above the eye.  They look almost black from a distance. The hen red grouse has yellower plumage

Where to watch:

• Bird of heath, raised and blanket bog

When to watch:

• All year round, but especially in the breeding season when the birds are more conspicuous

Listen for:             

• Calls are distinctive accelerating series of loud nasal calls ending in a trill.

Sites:

Tibradden heathland