Falcipennis


Falcipennis is a genus of birds in the grouse family that comprises three very similar species:
ImageNameCommon nameDistribution
Falcipennis falcipennisSiberian grouseeastern Russia, China
Falcipennis canadensisSpruce grouseUnited States, in Alaska, northern New England, northern Michigan, northeastern Minnesota, and the montane coniferous forests of Montana, Idaho, Maine, Oregon, and Washington. Canada
Falcipennis frankliniiFranklin's grouseBritish Columbia and the Rocky Mountains

All spruce grouse species inhabit northern coniferous forests and live on a diet of conifer needles during the winter. They have breeding systems with dispersed male territories, intermediate between the leks of some grouse and the monogamy of others.

Etymology

Falcipennis means "sickle-winged" in New Latin; the wings are swept back in flight.