Although widespread and abundant throughout Canada's boreal and alpine forests, Spruce Grouse are relatively infrequently encountered because of their quiet and secretive nature. Though they spend much of their time on the ground, they also venture high into the trees to feast on the young needles of conifers like pine, spruce, and tamarack.
Spruce Grouse
Canachites canadensis
Photo:
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Spruce Grouse
Status and Trends
Distribution
Methods
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
Summary
Trend
Large Increase
Confidence: Low
Goal
Within Goal Range
The non-migratory Spruce Grouse is a widespread species of Canada's Boreal forest. There are approximately 9.5 million individuals in Canada, which represent 86% of the global population and a very high degree of responsibility for Canada. The Canadian population of Spruce Grouse has shown a large increase relative to 1970, but confidence is low because both the Christmas Bird Count and the Breeding Bird Survey provide only limited coverage of the range. The national population of Spruce Grouse is within its goal range.
Migration Strategy
Resident
Canadian Responsibility
Population Estimates
Breeding
9,500,000
Annual
9,500,000
Global
11,000,000
Related readings
Summary report
View the report
Trends from this species and others are rolled up into The State of Canada’s Birds Summary Report. Follow the link below to view the report, learn more about birds in Canada, and see how we can all help birds.
This species is included in the following analysis groups for the report:
Forest Birds
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – Spruce Grouse. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/zc4q-av76
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
Although widespread and abundant throughout Canada's boreal and alpine forests, Spruce Grouse are relatively infrequently encountered because of their quiet and secretive nature. Though they spend much of their time on the ground, they also venture high into the trees to feast on the young needles of conifers like pine, spruce, and tamarack.
Distribution and Occurrence
1190
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Related readings
Summary report
View the report
Trends from this species and others are rolled up into The State of Canada’s Birds Summary Report. Follow the link below to view the report, learn more about birds in Canada, and see how we can all help birds.
This species is included in the following analysis groups for the report:
Forest Birds
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – Spruce Grouse. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/zc4q-av76