Red Grouse
Lagopus lagopus ssp scoticus
Length 37-42cm

Familiar gamebird of heather moorland. Male has chestnut-brown plumage and conspicuous red wattle over eye. Female has marbled, grey-brown plumage affording excellent camouflage when sitting on nest. Takes to the air explosively and, in flight, both sexes show uniformly dark wings; wingbeats rapid but interspersed with long glides on bowed wings. Go-back go-back go-back call evocative of moorland terrain. In Britain, found only in N and W but more widespread in Ireland. Feeds mainly on young shoots of heather.