black grouse

American  

noun

1. a large grouse, Lyrurus tetrix, of Europe and western Asia, the male of which is black, the female mottled gray and brown.

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black grouse British  

noun

1. Also called: black game.  a large N European grouse, Lyrurus tetrix , the male of which has a bluish-black plumage and lyre-shaped tail

2. a related and similar species, Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi , of W Asia

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Etymology

Origin of black grouse

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

black grouse

It happened close to important breeding sites for threatened bird species such as curlews and black grouse.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2025

The charity said many ground-nesting birds, including black grouse, had lost chicks or eggs in the incident near Cannich, south of Inverness.

From BBC ● Jun. 1, 2023

Lake Hlyboke, by far the most radioactive waterway in the world, is another “most contaminated” place, where I spotted a black grouse, a flock of partridges, and three roe deer during an hour’s visit.

From Slate ● Jan. 21, 2013

Sheep, yes; deer, pheasant and, if you’re up before 4 a.m. in the right place on the moors, endangered black grouse.

From Washington Post

These are forest-birds from Göinge districts: black grouse and wood grouse who come flying in long lines a couple of metres apart.

From The Wonderful Adventures of Nils by Howard, Velma Swanston