Caucasian grouse
| Caucasian grouse | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Galliformes |
| Family: | Phasianidae |
| Genus: | Lyrurus |
| Species: | L. mlokosiewiczi
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| Binomial name | |
| Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi (Taczanowski, 1875)
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| Synonyms | |
|
Tetrao mlokosiewiczi | |
The Caucasian grouse or Caucasian black grouse (Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi) is a large bird in the grouse family. It is closely related to the black grouse (L. tetrix).
Description
[edit]As with many gamebirds, the cock (male) is larger than the hen (female), measuring 50–55 cm compared to her length of 37–42 cm. The cock is very distinctive, with all-black plumage, apart from red eyebrows, and a long, deeply forked tail. The female Caucasian grouse is grey with dark barring, and has a cackling call.[2]
Distribution and habitat
[edit]It occurs in extreme southeastern Europe and adjacent regions. The scientific name of this bird commemorates the Polish naturalist Ludwik Mlokosiewicz. The Caucasian grouse is a sedentary species, breeding in the Caucasus and Pontic Mountains of northeast Turkey and Iran on open slopes with low Rhododendron or other scrubs but in proximity to deciduous broad-leaf forest.
Breeding
[edit]They have a group display or lek in May and June. Unlike the male Eurasian black grouse, the Caucasian grouse display is almost mute but for a thin whistling of the cock fluttering his wings as he leaps and turns in the air, producing a flash of white as the underwing feathers are briefly revealed.[2] The hen lays up to ten eggs in a ground scrape and takes all responsibility for nesting and caring for the chicks, as is typical with gamebirds.
Conservation
[edit]It is perhaps the least-studied of all grouse in the world, and it was formerly classified as Data Deficient by the IUCN.[1][3] Recent research shows that it is declining to some extent, and it is consequently listed as a Near Threatened species in 2008[4] with an estimated population of 30,203–63,034 worldwide in 2010. Conservation efforts have included encouraging ecotourism as a way to promote awareness of the bird and its habitat.[5]
References
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ a b BirdLife International (2016). "Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22679483A92815595. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22679483A92815595.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ a b Madge et al. (2002)
- ^ BLI (2004)
- ^ BLI (2008)
- ^ "Doga Dernegi Caucasian Black Grouse Project". Archived from the original on 21 November 2008. Retrieved 29 August 2009.
Bibliography
[edit]- BirdLife International (BLI) (2008): [2008 IUCN Redlist status changes]. Retrieved 2008-MAY-23.
- Madge, Steve; McGowan, Philip J. K. & Kirwan, Guy M. (2002): Pheasants, partidges and grouse : a guide to the pheasants, partridges, quails, grouse, guineafowl, buttonquails and sandgrouse of the world. Christopher Helm, London. ISBN 0-7136-3966-0
- Caucasian Grouse (BirdLife International) Archived 2014-11-02 at the Wayback Machine