capercaillie
- Created:: 2023-08-09
- Status:: #soil
- Foundation::
- Project::
- Topic:: animals birds
What is a capercaillie?
Capercallie is a large bird found in pine forests, particularly in the north of Scotland.
Males are huge, around twice the size of females, weighing in at 4kg.
Males have glossy black feathers and red eye markings. They carry a greenish tinge on their chests. In comparison, females are brown and mottled, with orange-brown throats.
Male Capercallie::: 
Female Capercallie::: 
Diet
Capercallies feed on the buds, shoots and berries of pines, bilberry and grasses.
Chicks are fed on a diet of invertebrates.
Mating
In spring, male capercallies ‘lek’ to attract a mate by puffing out their chests and producing whistles and clicks to attract the interest of females, who watch from perches before selecting their chosen mate.
Nests are built on the ground and have around 5-11 eggs.