Birdwatching - 1936 🐦

🦉 The hazel grouse (Tetrastes bonasia)

• Tetrastes Greek: tetraōn hunting bird, -astēs creator
• bonasia the etymology is unclear, one of the assumptions is "bonum" good, "assum" roast (lat).

I see these cockerels about once a year, in spring or autumn. This is when they are easiest to see. It's easier to hear them. Their voice is like a thin and hard to hear whistle, somewhat reminiscent of the whistle of a faulty car engine.

However, the most amazing thing about these large birds is their secrecy. I really don’t understand, they even run completely silently! In autumn, small birds such as nuthatches or tits rustle dry leaves as they jump on them. And the hazel grouse, based on the same leaves, is completely silent, even despite its large size.