Spruce grouse

Not to be confused with Spruce Goose.

Spruce grouse
Male of the nominate subspecies
Female
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Galliformes
Family: Phasianidae
Tribe: Tetraonini
Genus: Canachites
Stejneger, 1885
Species:
C. canadensis
Binomial name
Canachites canadensis
Subspecies
  • C. c. atratus (Grinnell, 1910)
  • C. c. canace (Linnaeus, 1766)
  • C. c. canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758)
  • C. c. franklinii (Douglas, 1829)
  • C. c. isleibi (Dickerman & Gustafson, 1996)
  • C. c. osgoodi (Bishop, 1900)
Distribution map of the spruce grouse
Synonyms
  • Dendragapus canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758)
  • Tetrao canadensis Linnaeus, 1758
  • Falcipennis canadensis

The spruce grouse (Canachites canadensis), also known as Canada grouse, spruce hen or fool hen,[2][3] is a medium-sized grouse closely associated with the coniferous boreal forests or taiga of North America. It is the only member of the genus Canachites.

It is one of the most arboreal grouse species, fairly well adapted to perching and moving about in trees. When approached by a predator, it relies on camouflage and immobility to an amazing degree; for example, letting people approach within a few feet before finally taking flight.

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2014). "Falcipennis canadensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  2. ^ Webster's New International Dictionary (2 ed.). Springfield, Massachusetts: Marriam-Webster. 1943. p. 982.
  3. ^ Random House unabridged dictionary (2nd ed.). New York: Random House. 1993. p. 746. ISBN 0-679-42917-4.