Dusky Grouse (Blue Grouse)

Dendragapus obscurus

General Status Rank: 
Undetermined
ELCODE: 
ABNLC09010
Common Name: 
Dusky Grouse (Blue Grouse)
Scientific Name: 
Dendragapus obscurus
Naming References: 
ASC9
Google image search
Taxonomy
Group: 
Bird
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Aves
Order: 
Galliformes
Family: 
Phasianidae
References: 
B004
General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

Sexual bimaturism: male - first breed at more than 1 year old; female - some breed a 1 year old, most later.
References: 
B124

Longevity

Among the most long-lived of all grouse: 10 years are not uncommon, and 12-14 years were observed)
References: 
B124

Economic/Human Considerations

Hunted, food
References: 
H126
Habitat
in open areas near tree limit in Mountain ranges
References: 
B004
B124
Distribution

Ecozones

Taiga Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Boreal Cordillera
References: 
B004

Distribution

0.05; See Figure 4.2 in B124
Score: 
F
References: 
B004
B124
Winter Distribution Description: 
local but at higher altitudes

Area of Occupancy

Score: 
-
References: 
LWR01
R148
W027
Trends

Trends

high vulnerability due to steeply declining population trend measured in BBS in the south (R148); BBS 1967-2000 (Canada): -2.9 (-6.8 to 1.2), P =0.16, N=28 routes , BBS 1966-2000 (North America): -2.9 (-5.5 to -0.4), P <0.03, N=79 routes CBC 1959-1988 (North America): -0.3 (-1.5 to 0.9), NS, N=76 counts (W027), All surveys south of 60 (H126_05); Standard surveys unreliable, both because of poor sampling and because local surveys show large fluctuations over time depending on successional stage of habitat (W027)
References: 
LWR01
R148
W027
Threats

Threats

threats to populations unknown in NWT
References: 
H126

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Score: 
-
References: 
H126
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Undetermined
Status Rank Description: 
In decline elsewhere, restricted to mountain zones in NWT, numbers, occurrences, and threats are unknown in the NWT; Partners-In-Flight scored this species as High concern and is on the PIF Watch List (LWR01 - 2000;R148)
S Rank: 
SU
Decision Process Description: 
Drafted by Suzanne Carriere based on printed references, Reviewed in 2005 by S Carrière based on printed literature only :no change in rank; Reviewed in 2010;no change; Reviewed in 2015, no change; Reviewed in 2020, no change
Last Updated: 
June 16, 2020

References

Age Of Maturity

  • Zwicket. F.C. and Bendell. J. F. (2004) Blue grouse: Their biology and natural history. NRC Research Press 284 pp RWED Library: QL 696.G285Z84 - B124 Return

Area of Occupancy

  • Downes, C.M., E.H. Dunn and C.M Francis (2000) Canadian Landbird Monitoring Strategy: monitoring needs and priorities into the new millenium.. Partners in Flight - Canada A 9-15 EC-CWS, Yellowknife (L. Wakelyn) - or communicate with Erica H. Dunn, CWS in Hull, QC, at erica.dunn@ec,gc,ca - LWR01 Return
  • Rich, T. D., C. J. Beardmore, H. Berlanga, P. J. Blancher, M. S. W. Bradstreet, G. S. Butcher, D. W. Demarest, E. H. Dunn, W. C. Hunter, E. E. Iñigo-Elias, J. A. Kennedy et al. (2004) Partners in Flight North American Landbird Conservation Plan. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Partners in Flight (VERSION: March 2005). website. http://www.partnersinflight.org/cont_plan/ - R148 Return
  • Dunn, E.H (2005) National action needs for Canadian Landbird Conservation,. Canadian Wildlife Service Landbird Committee, Version 1. [http://www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/birds/action/index_e.cfm]. - W027 Return

Economic Status

  • Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return

Ecozones

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Habitat

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return
  • Zwicket. F.C. and Bendell. J. F. (2004) Blue grouse: Their biology and natural history. NRC Research Press 284 pp RWED Library: QL 696.G285Z84 - B124 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return

Longevity

  • Zwicket. F.C. and Bendell. J. F. (2004) Blue grouse: Their biology and natural history. NRC Research Press 284 pp RWED Library: QL 696.G285Z84 - B124 Return

Naming

  • AOU (2006) Forty-seventh Supplement to the American ornithologist' Union Check-list of North American birds. Auk 123:926-936 - ASC9 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Range Extent

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return
  • Zwicket. F.C. and Bendell. J. F. (2004) Blue grouse: Their biology and natural history. NRC Research Press 284 pp RWED Library: QL 696.G285Z84 - B124 Return

Short Term Trends

  • Downes, C.M., E.H. Dunn and C.M Francis (2000) Canadian Landbird Monitoring Strategy: monitoring needs and priorities into the new millenium.. Partners in Flight - Canada A 9-15 EC-CWS, Yellowknife (L. Wakelyn) - or communicate with Erica H. Dunn, CWS in Hull, QC, at erica.dunn@ec,gc,ca - LWR01 Return
  • Rich, T. D., C. J. Beardmore, H. Berlanga, P. J. Blancher, M. S. W. Bradstreet, G. S. Butcher, D. W. Demarest, E. H. Dunn, W. C. Hunter, E. E. Iñigo-Elias, J. A. Kennedy et al. (2004) Partners in Flight North American Landbird Conservation Plan. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Partners in Flight (VERSION: March 2005). website. http://www.partnersinflight.org/cont_plan/ - R148 Return
  • Dunn, E.H (2005) National action needs for Canadian Landbird Conservation,. Canadian Wildlife Service Landbird Committee, Version 1. [http://www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/birds/action/index_e.cfm]. - W027 Return

Taxonomy

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Threats

  • Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return