Caucasian grouse
Caucasian grouse | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Galliformes |
Family: | Phasianidae |
Genus: | Lyrurus |
Species: | L. mlokosiewiczi
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Binomial name | |
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi Taczanowski, 1875
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Synonyms | |
Tetrao mlokosiewiczi |
The Caucasian grouse or Caucasian black grouse (Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi) is a large bird in the grouse family. It is closely related to the black grouse (L. tetrix).
Description[]
As with many gamebirds, the cock (male) is larger than the hen (female), measuring 50–55 cm compared to her length of 37–42 cm. The cock is very distinctive, with all-black plumage, apart from red eyebrows, and a long, deeply forked tail. The female Caucasian grouse is grey with dark barring, and has a cackling call.[2]
Distribution and habitat[]
It occurs in extreme southeastern Europe and adjacent regions.[3][4] The scientific name of this bird commemorates the Polish naturalist Ludwik Mlokosiewicz. The Caucasian grouse is a sedentary species, breeding in the Caucasus and Pontic Mountains of northeast Turkey on open slopes with low Rhododendron or other scrubs but in proximity to deciduous broad-leaf forest.[4]
Breeding[]
They have a group display or lek in May and June. Unlike the male Eurasian black grouse, the Caucasian grouse display is almost mute but for a thin whistling of the cock fluttering his wings as he leaps and turns in the air, producing a flash of white as the underwing feathers are briefly revealed.[2] The hen lays up to ten eggs in a ground scrape and takes all responsibility for nesting and caring for the chicks, as is typical with gamebirds.
Conservation[]
It is perhaps the least-studied of all grouse in the world, and it was formerly classified as Data Deficient by the IUCN.[1][5] Recent research shows that it is declining to some extent, and it is consequently listed as a Near Threatened species in 2008[6] with an estimated population of 30,203–63,034 worldwide in 2010.[4] Conservation efforts have included encouraging ecotourism as a way to promote awareness of the bird and its habitat.[7]
References[]
Notes[]
- ^ a b BirdLife International (2016). "Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22679483A92815595. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22679483A92815595.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ a b Madge et al. (2002)
- ^ Gokhelashvili, R.; Kerry, P.R.; Gavashelishvili, L. (2003). "How much do we know about the Caucasian Black Grouse Tetrao mlokosiewiczi". Sandgrouse. 25 (1): 33–40.
- ^ a b c Gavashelishvili, A.; Javakhishvili, Z. (2010). "Combining radio-telemetry and random observations to model the habitat of Near Threatened Caucasian grouse Tetrao mlokosiewiczi". Oryx. 44 (4): 491–500. doi:10.1017/S0030605310000979.
- ^ BLI (2004)
- ^ BLI (2008)
- ^ "Doga Dernegi Caucasian Black Grouse Project". Archived from the original on 21 November 2008. Retrieved 29 August 2009.
Bibliography[]
- BirdLife International (BLI) (2008): [2008 IUCN Redlist status changes]. Retrieved 2008-MAY-23.
- Madge, Steve; McGowan, Philip J. K. & Kirwan, Guy M. (2002): Pheasants, partidges and grouse : a guide to the pheasants, partridges, quails, grouse, guineafowl, buttonquails and sandgrouse of the world. Christopher Helm, London. ISBN 0-7136-3966-0
- Gokhelashvili, R.; Reese, K. P.; Gavashelishvili, L. 2003. How much do we know about the Caucasian Black Grouse Tetrao mlokosiewiczi? Sandgrouse 25: 33–40.
- Caucasian Grouse (BirdLife International)
- IUCN Red List near threatened species
- Lyrurus
- Grouse
- Birds of Europe
- Birds of Azerbaijan
- Birds of Western Asia
- Birds described in 1875