Given the universal consensus here, I've routed a couple images to local bios and some university types. Locals are leaning toward the Dusky version of the Blue, and the university types have not responded yet.
Will pass along their thoughts when they reply. Not much of an upland bird hunter, but glad we simply have a grouse season. If I had to differentiate on the wing, I'd never get a shot off.
Have a good one, and I appreciate the contributions.
Well, yah this picture is definitely a blue. LOL
"I can't be canceled, because, I don't give a fuuck!" --- Kid Rock 2022
Just forwarded the pic and coordinates to a near neighbor of mine, a professor who specializes in, of all things, grouse. He wrote back the following, "It''s a dusky.. I think." So there.
Cookie captured this yesterday, and would appreciate a definitive ID. We speculate an immature female Spruce Grouse, but their presence/distribution is somewhat questionable for Oregon. Approximate location was 44.066796º -118.703389º in a Doug fir/Grand fir/Lodge Pole pine riparian zone.
Much appreciated, as she does not want to save images if she can't offer up a proper ID.
Have a good one,
Before they changed what we can shoot as a Blue in Oregon. I would have been plucking that blue for camp dinner. Now I have to pack a Grouse Biologist on my back and half the time he has no definitive answer.
The anti American Constitutional party (Democrat). Wants to dismantle your rights, limiting every aspect of your constitutional rights. Death by 1000 cuts is the tactic. Each cut bleeds constitutional rights to control you. Control is the goal.
Whitetailec ptarmigan have uh, uh, uh, white tails?
It is a hen spruce grouse...
Originally Posted by BKinSD
Can you tell us how big it is?
It's not a sharptail and I don't think its a sage grouse either. The tail is wrong for both species. The description of your location seems to rule both out as well.
Geographic taxonomy only goes so far...
Mark Begich, Joaquin Jackson, and Heller resistance... Three huge reasons to worry about the NRA.
Cookie captured this yesterday, and would appreciate a definitive ID. We speculate an immature female Spruce Grouse, but their presence/distribution is somewhat questionable for Oregon. Approximate location was 44.066796º -118.703389º in a Doug fir/Grand fir/Lodge Pole pine riparian zone.
Much appreciated, as she does not want to save images if she can't offer up a proper ID.
Have a good one,
Late to this, but it's a blue grouse (Dusky variety) hen. I've eaten a lot of them.
The feet are very wrong for a dusky.
Mark Begich, Joaquin Jackson, and Heller resistance... Three huge reasons to worry about the NRA.
1minute; Good evening to you sir, I hope this finds you well.
Though I don't always comment on them, there's never a time that I catch your wife's crisp and vivid wildlife photos and don't enjoy them immensely.
We're on the border more or less of the dusky/sooty line they drew down the middle of BC, so honestly I'd not venture to guess whether it's either. At our house anyway we tend toward the old taxonomy and call them Blues.
That's a hen Blue in your photo in my opinion.
I couldn't say that I've killed hundreds like some here, but over the years our crew must have enjoyed several dozens for sure.
We don't shoot them much anymore as they've been scarce the last few years. We do herd them off the road from time to time, however....
Thanks again for sharing the photos with us, all the best to you all this fall and good luck on your hunts too.
Having shot a bunch in the last few weeks, including a whole one I am getting ready to skin right now... and seeing the tail, the tarsi, and the head, I can assure you it is a spruce grouse hen a fair piece from home.
Locally we are seeing ruffled grouse in large numbers in areas we have never seen them before.
Mark Begich, Joaquin Jackson, and Heller resistance... Three huge reasons to worry about the NRA.
God bless Texas----------------------- Old 300 I will remain what i am until the day I die- A HUNTER......Sitting Bull Its not how you pick the booger.. but where you put it !! Roger V Hunter