Some consider grouse as a family Tetraonidae,

Grouse inhabit temperate and subarctic regions of the northern hemisphere. They are heavily built like other Galliformes and range from 31-95 cm. Their legs are feathered to the toes, and in winter the toes too have feathers or small scales on the sides, an adaptation for walking on snow and burrowing into it for shelter. Unlike other Galliformes, they have no spurs. All grouse spend most of their time on the ground, though when alarmed, they may take off in a flurry and go into a long glide. These birds feed mainly on vegetation—buds, catkins, leaves, and twigs. Several of the forest-living species are notable for eating large quantities of conifer needles, which most other vertebrates refuse.


Genus Tetrao

Grouse, Black  Tetrao tetrix   Found: Europe, Asia
Photographed by: 1) Steve Garvie - Scotland  2) Jniemenmaa
1) Male  2) Female


Grouse, Wood aka Capercaillie  Tetrao urogallus   Found: Europe, Asia
Photographed by: 1) Woodwalker   2) Honza Sterba
1) Male  2) Female

Ptarmigans belong to genus  Lagopus. There are three species: the rock, white-tailed, and willow ptarmigans. The red ptarmigan was once considered a seperate species, but now is considered a subspecies of the willow ptarmigan. All of the species are circumpolar. Part or all of their plumage becomes white in the snow season to provide camouflage. As with game birds in general, most of the care of the young is done by the females.


Genus Lagopus

Ptarmigan, Rock  Lagopus muta Found: North America, Europe
Photographed by: 1) Jan Frode Haugseth - Norway  2, 3) Alpsdake
1) Spring plumage, female in front  2) Female  3) Male


Ptarmigan, Willow  aka Willow Grouse Lagopus lagopus   Found: North America, Europe, Asia
Photographed by: 1) Derek Ramsey 2) Joe Dsliva  3) Dick Daniels - Denali National Park


Grouse, Red  aka Red Ptarmigan Lagopus lagopus scoticus    Found: Great Britain
Once considered a separate species, now a subspecies of the willow grouse.
Photographed by:  1) Dick Daniels - Scotland