spruce grouse

American  

noun

1. a grouse, Canachites canadensis, of coniferous forests of northern North America, that feeds on evergreen buds and needles.

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spruce grouse British  

noun

1. a game bird, Dendragapus canadensis , occurring in Canadian coniferous forests

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Etymology

Origin of spruce grouse

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Example Sentences

He also serves breast of rock ptarmigan and breast of spruce grouse, roasted over an open fire and served together on a plate drizzled with wild partridgeberry coulis.

From New York Times • Jul. 19, 2017

And I was pleased to spot a spruce grouse — a darker, less wary, rarer cousin of the ruffed grouse — idling in the road.

From New York Times • Oct. 31, 2016

The season for ruffed and spruce grouse runs from Saturday through Jan. 3, 2015, and through Nov. 30 for sharp-tailed grouse.

From Washington Times • Sep. 16, 2015

The spruce grouse across its range is highly genetically diverse at this gene.

From Washington Post • Jul. 4, 2011

He also became much more successful at hunting game and for the next six weeks feasted regularly on squirrel, spruce grouse, duck, goose, and porcupine.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer