American capercaillie

The **American capercaillie** (*Tetrao californianus*), also known as the **American wood grouse**, or simply the **capercaillie** and the **wood grouse**, is a species of grouse, most closely related to the western capercaillie (*Tetrao urogallus*), that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the rainforests, wetlands, forests, and open woodlands across North America to help boost biodiversity. Male and female American capercaillie can easily be differentiated by their size and colouration. The male is much bigger than the female. It is one of the most sexually dimorphic in size of living bird species, only exceeded by the larger types of bustards and a select few members of the pheasant family. Males typically range from 74 to 85 centimetres (29 to 33 inches) in length with wingspan of 90 to 125 centimeters (35 to 49 inches) and an average weight of 4.1 kg (9 lb 1 oz). The largest wild males can attain a length of 100 cm (40 in) and weight of 6.7 kg (14 lb 12 oz). The largest specimens recorded in captivity can weigh 7.2 kg (15 lb 14 oz). The body feathers are dark grey to dark brown, while the breast feathers are dark metallic green. The belly and undertail coverts vary from black to white depending on a population. The female is much smaller, weighing about half as much as the male. The American capercaillie hen's body from beak to tail is approximately 54–64 centimeters (21–25 inches) long, the wingspan is 70 centimeters (28 inches) and weighs 1.5–2.5 kg (3 lb 5 oz–5 lb 8 oz), with an average of 1.8 kg (3 lb 15 oz). Feathers on the upper parts are brown with black and silver barring; on the underside they are more light and buffish yellow. Both sexes have a white spot on the wing bow. They have feathered legs, especially in the cold season, for protection against cold. Their toe rows of small, elongated horn tacks provide a snowshoe effect. These so-called "courting tacks" make a clear track in the snow. The sexes can be distinguished very easily by the size of their footprints. There is a bright red spot of naked skin above each eye. The small chicks resemble the hen in their cryptic colouration, which is a passive protection against predators. Additionally, they wear black crown feathers. At an age of about three months, in late summer, they moult gradually towards the adult plumage of males and females. The eggs are about the same size and form as chicken eggs, but are more speckled with brown spots. American capercaillies are not elegant fliers due to their body weight and short, rounded wings. While taking off they produce a sudden thundering noise that deters predators. Because of their body size and wingspan they avoid young and dense forests when flying. While flying they rest in short gliding phases. Their feathers produce a whistling sound. The American capercaillie lives on a variety of food types, including buds, leaves, fruits (including berries), insects, grasses and in the winter mainly conifer needles and leaves. American capercaillie, especially the hens with young chicks, require resources that should occur as parts of a small-scaled patchy mosaic: These are food plants, small insects for the chicks, cover in dense young trees or high ground vegetation, old trees with horizontal branches for sleeping. These criteria are met best in old forest stands with spruce, pine, and many other types of trees, dense ground vegetation and local tree regrowth on slopes. These open stands allow flights downslope, and the tree regrowth offers cover. Spring territories are about 20 hectares (49 acres) per bird. Comparable abundances are found in many types of forests. Thus, the American capercaillie never has particularly high densities. Adult males are strongly territorial and occupy a range of 30 to 40 hectares (74 to 98 acres) optimal habitat. Female territories are about 20 hectares (49 acres). The annual range can be several square kilometres (hundreds of hectares) when storms and heavy snowfall force the birds to winter at lower altitudes. Territories of males and females may overlap. American capercaillie are diurnal game, i.e., their activity is limited to the daylight hours. They spend the night in trees with horizontal branches. These sleeping trees are used for several nights; they can be mapped easily as the ground under them is covered by pellets. The females are ground breeders and spend the night on the nest. As long as the young chicks cannot fly the females spends the night with them in dense cover on the ground. During winter the females rarely go down to the ground and most tracks in the snow are from males. The conservation status of the American capercaillie is **Least Concern** due to succeed conservation efforts, the American capercaillie's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.