These groups are now all reduced to subfamilies. Further confusion is caused by the fact that in some books the Odontophanidae are included within the Phasianidae, but are now considered to be a family in their own right. Here I will take a brief look at each group. Grouse Grouse are a fairly homogeneous group of 17 medium to large species belonging primarily in the Northern Hemisphere. They vary in weight from 1 - 14 lbs.
Males are often larger than the females and, particularly in species which lek, more colourful.
Several species of grouse exhibit communal courtship. During this time all the mature males in an area gather at a specific site, generally one used for this purpose year after year, and defend and display within a small territory. Some of the territories are more valuable than others and the top male normally secures the most matings. Females come to the leking ground to choose and be mated by a male. In these species the female makes the nest and cares for the eggs away from the leking ground entirely on her own.