Spruce Grouse - Taxonomy and Systematics

Taxonomy and Systematics

In the first half of the century, Spruce Grouse were classified as two separate species in the genus Canachites: Spruce Grouse (C. canadensis) and Franklin's Grouse (C. franklinii). Then the species were unified and moved to the genus Dendragapus, congeneric with the Blue Grouse with which Spruce Grouse often share coniferous habitats. However, Spruce Grouse do not have inflatable cervical sacs as in Blue Grouse, and the natal plumage of the two species is different. Based on its stronger resemblance to the Siberian Grouse (Falcipennis falcipennis), the Spruce Grouse is now recognized as belonging to the genus Falcipennis. Currently six subspecies are recognized:

• F. c. osgoodi: Central Alaska and Northwest Territories of Canada
• F. c. atratus: Coastal Southwestern Alaska
• F. c. canadensis: Canada from Central Alberta to Labrador, introduced in Newfoundland in 1964 and Anticosti Island in 1985-86.
• F. c. canace: Maine, Southern Canada from Manitoba to Nova Scotia
• F. c. torridus: Nova Scotia
• F. c. franklinii: British Columbia and Rocky Mountains