The striking Scottish bird is one of the most recognisable
In the ancient woodlands of the Highlands of Scotland, you might be lucky enough to come across one of the country's most recognisable birds. The capercaillie is a large grouse with the male having striking black, brown and green plumage and red-ridged eyes.
Shy and elusive they can be found foraging on forest floors or in low-lying branches of trees eating berries and shrubs. So brave are these birds when they are roused, they will happily challenge creatures four or five times their size – including any human who crosses their path. Fanning their tale feathers behind them, they will charge across forest floors ready to fight.Vicious battles can often erupt between two rivals with some of the birds often being badly injured in these fights for mating rights. The smaller brown females will then flock to the winner of these bouts to breed.
Threats to their survival include colder weather, which affects the fitness of the females and survival rates of the chicks, while fragmented habitats are also harming their ability to breed.Nick Wilkinson, conservation scientist at RSPB Scotland, said: "Previous surveys have seen numbers fluctuating between around 1,000 and 2,000 birds so it's really worrying that the results from last winter indicate there are only an estimated 542 individuals remaining now.
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