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Red Grouse · Field Guide · Things With Wings

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Red Grouse

Lagopus lagopus scotica

Not yet photographed by the community

Iconic moorland bird; calls "go-back, go-back".

Species Profile

Red List (Birds of Conservation Concern)

Lifespan: 5–8 years in the wild
Size & Weight: 37–40 cm, wingspan 48–56 cm; 330–680 g
Habitat: Heather moorland and blanket bog at high altitude, typically above 300 m in Scotland and northern England.
UK Distribution: Year-round resident found exclusively in upland regions of Scotland, northern England (Pennines), and small populations in Wales. Does not migrate.
Diet: Almost entirely herbivorous, feeding on heather shoots, bilberry, crowberry, and other moorland plants; chicks eat insects initially but shift to vegetation.
Predators: Golden eagles, white-tailed eagles, hen harriers, short-eared owls, foxes, and stoats.
Mating Season: April to June
Breeding: Clutch size 6–9 eggs, incubation period 19–20 days, single brood per year. Chicks fledge at 12–14 days.
Behaviour: Highly territorial males establish and defend moorland territories with loud croaking calls ('go-back-go-back'). Social structure is based on loose flocks outside breeding season. Males and females both develop feathered legs and feet for insulation and snow-walking.

Sources and editorial status

The short identification summary comes from the Things With Wings species catalogue. The extended species profile is AI-assisted and has not been individually reviewed by a wildlife expert, so verify important identification or conservation details with the specialist sources below.

Profile generated 22 June 2026

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