The western capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), also known as the Eurasian capercaillie, wood grouse, heather cock, cock-of-the-woods, or simply capercaillie / ˌ k æ p ər ˈ k eɪ l (j) i /, [3] is a heavy member of the grouse family and the largest of all extant grouse species. The heaviest-known specimen, recorded in captivity, had a weight of 7.2 kilograms (16 pounds).

The males are magnificent and easily identified: very large and turkey-like, with a long neck, long tail and strong pale yellow bill. The plumage is black with a green-glossed breast, prominent red ‘combs’, brown wings and dark (albeit barred white) undertail coverts.

Common name: Capercaillie Scientific name: Tetrao urogallus Order: Galliformes, Family: Phasianidae Measurements: Male 74-90cm long (inc tail), female 54-63cm, wingspan 82-125cm.

The capercaillie is a huge gamebird, the size of a turkey, that lives in the forests of Scotland. Loss of its woodland habitat led to the capercaillie becoming extinct in the UK in the mid-18th century, but birds were reintroduced from Sweden almost a century later.

Her body from beak to tail is approximately 54 – 63 centimetres (21 – 25 inches) long, the wingspan is 70 centimetres (28 inches) and she weighs about 2 kilograms (4.4lbs). Feathers on her upper parts are brown with black and silver barring, on the underside they are more light and buffish-yellow.