Sexing and Aging Alaskan Spruce Grouse by Plumage
Ellison LN. 1968. Sexing and Aging Alaskan Spruce Grouse by Plumage. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 32(1):12-16
Spruce grouse (Canachites canadensis osgoodi) were accurately sexed by color pattern of either breast feathers or rectrices. The black breast feathers of females are barred with brown. Rectrices of males are black, lightly flecked with brown; rectrices of females are black, heavily barred with brown. In autumn, spruce grouse can be aged as juveniles (less than 1 year old) or adults (older than 1 year) with 91 to 100 percent accuracy, depending on the sex and age-class. Among juveniles, the outer primary is pointed and the tip of P9 is mottled and edged with brown. Among adults, the outer primary is rounded and the tip of P9 is only narrowly edged with brown.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Ellison, Laurence
- Units
- CAKN , DENA , WRST , YUCH
- Keywords
- Birds, Canachites canadensis osgoodi, Falcipennis canadensis, Grouse, Morphology