Sooty Grouse (Dendragapus fuliginosus) is in the Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies family (Phasianidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 5,533 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 Sooty Grouse: observations by month (U.S.)
About Sooty Grouse
The sooty grouse (Dendragapus fuliginosus) is a species of forest-dwelling grouse native to North America's Pacific Coast Ranges. It is closely related to the dusky grouse (Dendragapus obscurus), and the two were previously considered a single species, the blue grouse.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Sooty Grouse by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 2,552 | August | Jul–Sep |
| California | 2,208 | July | Jun–Sep |
| Oregon | 591 | July | Jun–Sep |
| Alaska | 124 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Nevada | 58 | 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
Dusky 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 Sooty Grouse?
Nationally, August has the most observations, with the main season from June to September.
Where is Sooty Grouse most often seen?
The most observations come from Washington, California, Oregon.