What grouse are native to Washington state?

Washington state is home to three species of grouse that are native to the region: the Sooty Grouse, the Dusky Grouse, and the Spruce Grouse. Grouse are medium-sized game birds in the order Galliformes and family Phasianidae. They are closely related to chickens, turkeys, pheasants, and other fowl. Let’s take a closer look at each of the grouse species native to Washington.

Sooty Grouse

The Sooty Grouse (Dendragapus fuliginosus) is a large, dark grouse with a long tail. It is also known as the Blue Grouse, Pine Grouse, and Hooter. Adult males are slate gray with yellow eye combs during breeding season. Females are mottled brown, black, and white. Sooty Grouse inhabit coniferous forests across western North America. In Washington, they are found west of the Cascade Mountains.

Sooty Grouse spend most of their time in trees, foraging for conifer needles and buds. They mainly eat the needles and buds of Douglas fir, true firs, pines, and spruces. Sooty Grouse are well camouflaged against the bark and needles of conifers. When disturbed, they may explode into flight with a loud whirring of wings. Males perform elaborate strutting displays during breeding season to attract females.

The nest is a shallow depression on the ground, lined with vegetation and conifer needles. Females typically lay 5-10 eggs that incubate for around 26 days before hatching. Chicks leave the nest shortly after hatching and follow their mother to forage. Sooty Grouse numbers tend to fluctuate in cycles, peaking every 8-11 years. They are a popular game bird in Washington, with liberal hunting seasons and bag limits.

Key Facts

• Other Names: Blue Grouse, Pine Grouse, Hooter
• Size: 16-20 inches, 1.5-2 lbs
• Habitat: Coniferous forests
• Diet: Conifer needles and buds
• Nesting: On the ground, 5-10 eggs
• Conservation Status: Least Concern

Dusky Grouse

The Dusky Grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) is a large, brownish-gray grouse with a long square tail. It is also called the Blue Grouse or Pine Grouse in some regions. In Washington, Dusky Grouse are found east of the Cascades in open coniferous forests and woodlands. Adult males are mottled gray with a red eyebrow comb, while females are brown with dark barring.

Dusky Grouse spend much of their time on the ground, foraging for leaves, buds, seeds, berries, and insects. Conifers such as Douglas fir, true firs, pines, and spruces make up the bulk of their diet. Males perform spectacular breeding displays in spring that involve fanning their tails, inflating bright yellow air sacs, and making hooting sounds.

Nests are bowl-shaped depressions lined with vegetation, built at the base of trees or shrubs. Females lay 5-10 eggs that incubate for 24-28 days. Chicks are precocial and able to leave the nest shortly after hatching. Dusky Grouse numbers followpopulation cycles, peaking every 8-11 years. They are popular game birds with long hunting seasons in Washington.

Key Facts

• Other Names: Blue Grouse, Pine Grouse
• Size: 16-20 inches, 1.5-2 lbs
• Habitat: Coniferous forests
• Diet: Leaves, buds, seeds, berries, insects
• Nesting: On ground, 5-10 eggs
• Conservation Status: Least Concern

Spruce Grouse

The Spruce Grouse (Falcipennis canadensis) is a small, secretive grouse of northern coniferous forests. Adults are mottled brown, black, and white with barring on the underparts and a black band across the tip of the gray tail. Males make a soft hooting sound and display by fanning their tail and inflating yellow air sacs. Spruce Grouse inhabit boreal and montane forests across Canada and the western U.S.

In Washington, they occur in high elevation coniferous forests in the Cascades and northeastern mountains. Spruce Grouse spend nearly all their time on the ground, foraging for conifer needles, buds, seeds, berries, and insects. They rely heavily on spruce and true fir needles. Males perform breeding displays on fallen logs in spring.

The nest is a scrape on the ground lined with leaves, needles, and feathers. Females lay 5-10 eggs that incubate for 21-25 days. Chicks are precocial and leave the nest shortly after hatching. Spruce Grouse are the least social of the grouse, usually found alone or in pairs. They are also the smallest grouse in Washington. Their populations tend to be stable rather than cyclic.

Key Facts

• Size: 15-17 inches, 1-1.5 lbs
• Habitat: Boreal and montane coniferous forests
• Diet: Conifer needles, buds, seeds, berries, insects
• Nesting: On ground, 5-10 eggs
• Conservation Status: Least Concern

Comparison of Grouse Species

Here is a comparison of the three grouse species native to Washington:

As you can see, the grouse species have similarities in size, habitat, and diet, but also key differences in their preferred foods, display behaviors, and geographic ranges across Washington state.

Grouse Behavior and Life Cycle

Grouse native to Washington exhibit some similar behaviors and life cycle patterns:

• Males perform elaborate courtship displays in spring to attract females for breeding.
• Nests are shallow depressions on the ground lined with vegetation.
• Females typically lay between 5-10 eggs that incubate for 21-28 days.
• Chicks are precocial and leave the nest shortly after hatching.
• Grouse chicks follow their mother who shows them how and where to forage.
• Grouse populations tend to fluctuate in regular cycles, peaking every 8-11 years.
• Grouse spend most of their time on the ground but explode into flight when disturbed.
• Most grouse inhabit forests and woodlands, taking shelter in trees and dense cover.

However, there are some differences between the species as well:

• Sooty Grouse rely almost entirely on conifer needles and buds for food.
• Dusky Grouse consume a wider variety of foods including leaves, seeds, berries, and insects.
• Spruce Grouse specialize in eating spruce and fir needles.
• Sooty Grouse strut during courtship while Dusky and Spruce Grouse fan their tails and inflate air sacs.
• Spruce Grouse are the most solitary and least social of the three species.

Grouse Habitats in Washington

The different grouse species occupy distinct habitat types across Washington:

• Sooty Grouse – Found in low to mid elevation coniferous forests west of the Cascades, mainly in Douglas fir, true fir, pine, and spruce habitats. They frequent older mature forests with an open understory.
• Dusky Grouse – Occur in drier coniferous forests and woodlands east of the Cascades. They use ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, and mixed woodland habitats. Can extend into higher elevations.
• Spruce Grouse – Restricted to high elevation boreal and subalpine forests above 3000 feet. Mainly inhabit Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, and lodgepole pine forests with dense canopy cover.

Grouse distributions align with the availability of their preferred coniferous forest habitats across Washington’s varied geography. Sooty Grouse dominate the wetter, maritime forests west of the mountains while Dusky Grouse frequent drier inland forests. Spruce Grouse occur only at the highest elevations.

Grouse Conservation

The three grouse species native to Washington are not considered threatened or endangered. However, some conservation measures can help maintain healthy grouse populations:

• Sustainable forest management practices that maintain a mix of tree ages and open understory habitat.
• Protection of boreal and high elevation conifer forests used by Spruce Grouse.
• Restoring natural wildfire regimes that create young forest habitats.
• Monitoring and regulating overhunting in years of low grouse numbers.
• Mitigating effects of roads, trails, and recreation sites near grouse breeding areas.
• Allowing natural population cycles to fluctuate without interference.

All three grouse species remain popular game birds for regulated sport hunting in Washington. Hunters should follow regulations carefully and only harvest sustainable numbers during periods of high grouse populations. Sustainable harvesting and habitat management can ensure healthy grouse numbers into the future.

Grouse Viewing in Washington

The best places to view grouse in Washington include:

• Olympic National Park – Hike through lowland Douglas fir forests to spot Sooty Grouse.
• Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest – Drive forest roads to find Dusky Grouse in ponderosa pine and fir habitats.
• Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest – Hike subalpine trails to look for displaying Spruce Grouse in spring.
• Colville National Forest – Visit high elevation spruce-fir forests to see Spruce Grouse.
• Ross Lake National Recreation Area – All three grouse species may occur around this North Cascades lake.

The most fruitful times to view grouse are early morning and evening when they are most active. Tread quietly and watch for movement on the ground and in low branches. Listen for the distinctive hooting calls of displaying males in spring. With patience, observers can glimpse these majestic game birds in their forested mountain homes.

Conclusion

Washington is home to three grouse species well adapted to its varied coniferous forests. Sooty Grouse inhabit the wet maritime forests west of the Cascades while Dusky Grouse frequent drier inland woodlands. Tiny Spruce Grouse are restricted to the highest elevations. All three are indicators of healthy forest ecosystems. While grouse face no major threats currently, sustainable management and conservation practices can ensure their populations remain viable well into the future.