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Caucasian grouse

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Caucasian grouse
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Galliformes
Family: Phasianidae
Genus: Lyrurus
Species:
L. mlokosiewiczi
Binomial name
Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi
(Taczanowski, 1875)
Synonyms

Tetrao mlokosiewiczi

in Russia

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

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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

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It occurs in extreme southeastern Europe and adjacent regions. 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 and Iran on open slopes with low Rhododendron or other scrubs but in proximity to deciduous broad-leaf forest.

Breeding

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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

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It is perhaps the least-studied of all grouse in the world, and it was formerly classified as Data Deficient by the IUCN.[1][3] Recent research shows that it is declining to some extent, and it is consequently listed as a Near Threatened species in 2008[4] with an estimated population of 30,203–63,034 worldwide in 2010. Conservation efforts have included encouraging ecotourism as a way to promote awareness of the bird and its habitat.[5]

References

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Notes

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ a b Madge et al. (2002)
  3. ^ BLI (2004)
  4. ^ BLI (2008)
  5. ^ "Doga Dernegi Caucasian Black Grouse Project". Archived from the original on 21 November 2008. Retrieved 29 August 2009.

Bibliography

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