Birds

Hazel Grouse

Tetrastes bonasia · Ierunca

A small, secretive forest grouse of the Carpathians, more often heard than seen.

At a glance

Status in Romania: Resident
Habitat: Forest / Mountain
Activity: Morning · Evening
Diet: Mainly plant food: in winter seeds, catkins, buds and twigs of alder, birch or hazel; in spring leaves and flowers.
Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN)
Photography difficulty: Difficult

Photography Guide

Practical starting points based on the species’ behaviour and habitat, not fixed rules.

Where and how to look: Damp forest valleys with alder, birch and berry bushes in the mountains.
Best time / activity: Morning · Evening
Photography difficulty: Difficult
Fieldcraft: Walk slowly on forest tracks at dawn and scan the ground and low branches ahead.
Ethics: Do not search for nests or broods; flushing a hen leaves eggs and chicks exposed.

Identification

Small grouse with intricate grey, brown and white plumage and a small crest; the male has a black throat.

Habitat

Compact conifer and mixed forest, preferring damp woods with dense undergrowth, scattered spruce and slightly more open valleys rich in raspberry, bramble or other shrubs.

Distribution

Tied to the Carpathian chain, in forested mountain areas from about 600 m upwards.

Approximate range in Romania

Carpathian mountains and foothillsGeneral distribution only. This is not an occurrence map and does not show nesting or sensitive wildlife locations.

Diet

Mainly plant food: in winter seeds, catkins, buds and twigs of alder, birch or hazel; in spring leaves and flowers.

Behaviour

Relies on camouflage and often freezes before flushing at close range.

Seasonality in Romania

Breeds in Romania and is resident.

JanPresent
FebPresent
MarPresent
AprPresent
MayPresent
JunPresent
JulPresent
AugPresent
SepPresent
OctPresent
NovPresent
DecPresent

Source-verified months inform the seasonal filters. Local timing can vary. Unconfirmed months do not imply absence. * Event timing retained from the earlier entry, not yet source-verified.

Breeding

Breeding starts in April–May; usually 7–11 eggs in a nest at the base of a shrub or under a fallen tree; incubation 23–27 days.