Intro

The male sings and dances to impress the hens.

You'll need to get up early to watch the blackcocks' courtship display; it starts in spring before dawn, when the traditional courting grounds are still covered in snow and wrapped in the chill of the night. Then the males begin to strut around and emit a strange hissing sound. They spread their tail feathers and perform a dance to impress the hens ready for mating. If you've missed the spring spectacle, you may have another chance in autumn when the blackcocks perform their courtship dance again, this time without mating.

More informations


Latin name:Tetrao tetrix
Natural habitat:Alpine region, on the timber line
Size:Wingspan 65 – 80 cm
Weight:0.75 – 1.75 kg
Population:7,500 breeding pairs
Migration:Resident bird
Nesting season:May - July

Source Pro Natura