The Dusky Grouse lives in western North American mountain forests. In spring, males display their neck sacs and red eye combs.
Males are steely gray-blue with purplish neck air sacs and red eye combs. Females are brown and camouflaged.
Dusky Grouse live in the interior mountains of western North America. They may move between breeding and wintering sites, using different elevations and vegetation through the year.
A study published in 1986 compared breeding and autumn–winter vegetation use in southeastern Idaho. Breeding habitat included sagebrush and mixed shrubs below 2,100 metres. Females with broods favoured sites with herbaceous vegetation taller than 50 centimetres.
In autumn and winter, birds favoured open conifer stands above 2,285 metres. Douglas-firs were preferred winter roost trees. Tall ground cover during brood rearing and trees used for winter rest illustrate different seasonal habitat features within the mountains.
IUCN Red List (BirdLife listing) · Least Concern · Global
BirdLife’s 2021 assessment lists Dusky Grouse as globally Least Concern. The Idaho study identifies breeding shrubs and herbs as well as autumn–winter conifer habitat. Retaining ground cover for broods together with winter roost trees informs local conservation planning.