General Description: Dusky Grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) are mottled brown, chicken-like birds with a dark tail. Males have a yellow comb above the eye that can be raised during displays. Males also have black-tipped white feathers on the neck that cover reddish patches of bare skin, which can be inflated during displays. Females are mottled brown above and mottled gray below. Northern populations of Dusky Grouse (Nevada-Idaho border north) lack the blue-gray tail band seen in Sooty Grouse, but Dusky Grouse in the southern part of the species range (Nevada, Utah, southward) do have the tail band.

Taxonomy: Galliformes, Phasianidae, Tetraoninae

Favored Habitat: Mountainous areas with conifer trees.

Where to Find: Look for Dusky Grouse in Zion National Park or on trip to northeastern Nevada (e.g., Ruby Mountains and Jarbidge Mountains).

Comments: The species "Blue Grouse" has been split into two species: Sooty Grouse and Dusky Grouse. Sooty Grouse occur in the western mountain ranges (e.g., Sierra Nevada, Cascade Mountains) of British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, and western Nevada. Dusky Grouse occur in the Rocky Mountains from northern Canada south to Arizona and New Mexico.