The Dusky Grouse is a large blue-gray grouse of montane forests in the West, the male making a series of deep hoots while inflating bare neck skin patches during courtship. Uniquely, it migrates upslope to subalpine forests in winter — the opposite direction of most wildlife — to feed on conifer needles. It was recently split from the Sooty Grouse.
Best time to see a Dusky Grouse
The best time to see a Dusky Grouse is June–August, when about 60% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 5,162 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
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