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Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus L 60-90cm. Huge, impressive gamebird. Explodes into flight when disturbed, revealing long wings and tail. Male is almost half as big again as female and sexes are dissimilar in plumage terms. Adult male often looks all-dark but greenish sheen on breast is sometimes seen. Has brownish wings, red wattle above eye and rounded white spot at base of folded forewing. Tail is fanned elevated in display. Adult female has finely barred grey-brown plumage with orange-brown patch on breast. Juvenile resembles a small, dull female. Voice Male utters bizarre sequence of clicks followed by noise that resembles a cork being pulled from a bottle. Status Confined to mature Scots Pine forest in Scotland. Became extinct in 18th Century; current population results from re-introductions. Status Easiest to see at RSPB’s Loch Garten reserve.
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© Richard Revels/Nature Photographers
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3543x2327 / 5.9MB
Contained in galleries
BIRDS
Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus L 60-90cm. Huge, impressive gamebird. Explodes into flight when disturbed, revealing long wings and tail. Male is almost half as big again as female and sexes are dissimilar in plumage terms. Adult male often looks all-dark but greenish sheen on breast is sometimes seen. Has brownish wings, red wattle above eye and rounded white spot at base of folded forewing. Tail is fanned elevated in display. Adult female has finely barred grey-brown plumage with orange-brown patch on breast. Juvenile resembles a small, dull female. Voice Male utters bizarre sequence of clicks followed by noise that resembles a cork being pulled from a bottle. Status Confined to mature Scots Pine forest in Scotland. Became extinct in 18th Century; current population results from re-introductions. Status Easiest to see at RSPB’s Loch Garten reserve.