red grouse

American  

noun

1. a grouse, Lagopus lagopus scoticus, of the British Isles, a subspecies of willow ptarmigan lacking white winter plumage.

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red grouse British  

noun

1. a reddish-brown grouse, Lagopus scoticus , of upland moors of Great Britain: an important game bird

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Etymology

Origin of red grouse

First recorded in 1770–80

Example Sentences

Many of the eight possible release areas have moorland used for driven grouse-shooting, a traditional field sport where red grouse, which golden eagles eat, are driven towards shooters by beaters.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

But the new licensing scheme for land which is used for red grouse shoots is seen as an important deterrent.

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2024

Birds like the meadow pipit and skylark use the heather for nesting, and it is also a source of food for the red grouse.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2022

It all began with a trivia question raised among friends: Which is the fastest game bird in Britain, the golden plover or the red grouse?

From New York Times • Aug. 27, 2015

Of you it may safely be said That you love the red grouse And the brown partridge.

From Outlook Odes by Crosland, T. W. H. (Thomas William Hodgson)