Capercaillie and Black Grouse Hunting – Sweden

(Tetrao urogallus)

The capercaillie cock, also known as the wood grouse or heather cock, is the largest European member of the grouse subfamily (Raufußhühner) and is historically classified as big game (Hochwild). It can reach a wingspan of up to 140 cm and a live weight of up to 6.5 kg. The hens are significantly smaller, reaching weights of only up to 2.5 kg. While Central Europe now only holds small, isolated populations, larger and more robust populations can still be found across Eastern Europe and Eurasia.

A highly sedentary species, the cocks and hens live separately in small groups for most of the year. During the courtship and lekking season—which occurs from April to May depending on altitude and weather conditions—both sexes gather at traditional display grounds (Balzplätze). The cock's distinctive courtship song consists of the "clicking" (Knappen), the "trill" (Triller), the "cork pop" or principal blow (Hauptschlag), and the "scraping" or "whetting" (Schleifen or Wetzen). During the scraping phase, the cock is completely deaf and blind for a few fleeting seconds. Hunters traditionally utilize this brief window of sensory deprivation to advance toward the bird (Anspringen). Ultimately, only the highest-ranking cocks get the opportunity to mate with the hens. The capercaillie possesses excellent eyesight.

(Lyrurus tetrix)

The black grouse belongs to the grouse subfamily (Rauhfußhühner). Similar to the capercaillie, the cock features a striking, ornate plumage, while the hen is modestly colored with dark barring over a consistently light brown background. The cock grows to a size of about 50 cm and weighs up to 1.5 kg, with hens being slightly smaller and lighter. A striking feature of the cock is the red wattles, or "combs" (roten Rosen), above the eyes.

The cock and hen differ significantly in appearance. The cock sports a glossy, bluish-black plumage with light-colored undersides on its wings. The hen, on the other hand, is somewhat smaller, and her plumage is yellowish-brown, densely interlaced with black bars.

During the lekking season in April and May, the black grouse gather at specific display grounds (Balzplätze). A strict hierarchy prevails among the cocks, which is established through numerous courtship displays, vocalizations, and territorial fights.