Dusky Grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) is in the Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies family (Phasianidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 5,759 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in August.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Dusky Grouse: observations by month (U.S.)
About Dusky Grouse
The dusky grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) is a species of forest-dwelling grouse native to the Rocky Mountains in North America. It is closely related to the sooty grouse (Dendragapus fuliginosus), and the two were previously considered a single species, the blue grouse.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Dusky Grouse by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 2,230 | August | May–Sep |
| Wyoming | 1,073 | August | May–Sep |
| Montana | 657 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Utah | 530 | July | Apr–Oct |
| New Mexico | 340 | August | Jun–Sep |
| Idaho | 336 | August | May–Sep |
| Washington | 335 | April | Apr–Sep |
| Oregon | 95 | August | Apr–Sep |
| Arizona | 88 | August | May–Oct |
| Nevada | 75 | July | Jun–Sep |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
Wild Turkey
Indian Peafowl
Ring-necked Pheasant
Ruffed Grouse
Sooty Grouse
Chukar
Greater Sage-Grouse
Spruce Grouse
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Dusky Grouse?
Nationally, August has the most observations, with the main season from May to September.
Where is Dusky Grouse most often seen?
The most observations come from Colorado, Wyoming, Montana.