Species Action Framework
Species for conservation action
CAPERCAILLIE
Species Background
The capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) is a large game bird of open mature pinewoods. Males have a slate-grey plumage, with a blue sheen over the head, neck and breast, reddish-brown upper wings with a prominent white shoulder flash, a bright red eye ring, and long tail. Females are brown with a dark chestnut-red tail, which is fan-shaped.
Why is this on the Species Action List?
It satisfies criterion 1a of the Species Action Framework as a species for conservation action. The breeding population has declined considerably over the past 25 years. Knowledge of the general ecology of the species is good (although some further research is needed). Work which has been undertaken through a LIFE project has shown that appropriate habitat management in core areas can lead to an increase in the population. It is a high profile species, and a ‘caperwatch’ hide has been set up at Loch Garten RSPB reserve to allow the public to view lekking birds. It is a UKBAP Priority Species and is on the Scottish Biodiversity List. It is listed on Annex 1 of the EC Birds Directive and is fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended, which also protects leks.
Habitat, distribution and abundance
The global population extends throughout the forests of mountainous and
boreal regions of Scandinavia, central Europe, northern Asia and
Siberia. Its UK range is localized and centred on Strathspey, but
extends south and west to the woodlands in Perthshire and around Loch
Lomond as well as northwards into Ross-shire. The Scottish population
is found mainly in native pinewoods, in particular the old Caledonian
Forest habitat, with dense ground cover of blaeberry and heather, but
will also use commercial conifer plantations and small numbers remain
in a few upland oak woods in Tayside. Capercaillie require woodland
containing trees of differing ages as well as boggy areas providing a
good source of insects for chick feeding, and open areas where the male
birds can ‘lek’. It winters in similar habitats to those
used in summer months, although dense areas of young trees provide
additional shelter in bad weather.
The European breeding population is large (over 760,000 pairs), with
notable populations in Russia and Scandinavia. A repeat national survey
in 2003/04 indicated that the population had increased to 1,980
individuals, though the confidence limits on this estimate are wide.
The most recent population estimate suggests the population has
stabilized in the core areas of Deeside and Speyside.
General ecology
Adult birds feed on blaeberry from early spring through to summer, as well as plant buds, pollen cones, flowers, and seeds, with conifer needles being eaten primarily in winter. Chicks initially require invertebrates, particularly caterpillars, to develop. Males form leks in open areas of woodland forests in spring. Females lay between 5-12 eggs in a nest on the ground. Incubation takes from 26 to 29 days and chicks leave the nest very soon after hatching. They remain with the hen through the summer and fledge in late August.
History of decline, contributory factors and current threats
The capercaillie probably became extinct in Britain in the mid-18th century, largely due to the destruction of native woodland habitat. In 1837, birds from Sweden were reintroduced into Perthshire. In the early 1970s there were thought to be around 20,000. Since then the numbers have fallen dramatically. Expert opinion is that the 25-year decrease is over 50%, based on several data sources. A number of possible causes of the decline are listed below:
- The principal threat to the capercaillie is thought to be loss of
suitable woodland habitat, partly due to over-grazing of blaeberry by
sheep and deer.
- Increased predation from crows and foxes, especially on breeding females.
- Increased adult mortality through collisions with deer fences.
- An increase in adverse weather conditions during June when chicks are newly hatched resulting in reduced breeding success.
- Human disturbance, in part due to forestry operations and the
recreational use of forest tracks, may also be involved in the
species’ decline.
Action up to April 2007 and partners involved
A successful joint bid for funds from ‘LIFE Nature’
resulted in a grant of £4.65m for one LIFE Nature Project
‘Urgent Conservation Management for Capercaillie in
Scotland’. The five year project began in 2002 with the aim of
improving the breeding success of the capercaillie in Scotland, thus
reversing the recent decline in numbers and reaching the UKBAP target
of 5,000 individuals by 2010. It has targeted the populations in core
areas and aims to: improve habitat management, especially on SPAs (e.g.
through thinning forestry plantations, increasing blaeberry, and
providing additional ground cover); promote legal predator control of
foxes and crows; remove or mark redundant deer fences; offer advisory
work to estates and land managers; and undertake research and survey
projects. Current work under the LIFE project has shown that
appropriate habitat management in core areas can increase population,
particularly in key woodlands.
Further areas of research and management include:
- Studies on the ecology of capercaillie. Research into habitat use is
ongoing, especially use of brood habitat, as well as disturbance
studies.
- Trials of new management techniques to reduce the incidence of fence collisions.
- Development of forest habitat networks to reduce habitat fragmentation is also being explored.
‘Caperwatch’ at the Loch Garten Osprey Centre allows
members of the public to watch for capercaillie from a viewing hide and
from CCTV cameras during April and May, raising awareness of the
conservation status of the species. Current partners include Highland
Birchwoods, FCS, DCS, RSPB, CEH, FES, LIFE Nature Fund, Cairngorms
National Park Authority, Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park
Authority, SRPBA, GCT, and SGA.
Other web-based key sources of information:
- UKBAP Species Action Plan
- Arkive species account
- LIFE Capercaillie
- RSPB capercaillie action page
- Birdlife threatened European birds account
- Scottish Rural Development Programme – Capercaillie Package
SNH is not responsible for content of other websites
Distribution data from the NBN (National Biodiversity Network)
(Note that not all records may be shown, and records from areas where the species no longer occurs may also be given)
Publications
Websites of partners who have approved the SAF implementation plan
To find out about other species on the Species Action List, click on the icons below, and follow the links.
 |
Species conservation |  |
||
 |
Invasive non-native species | |||
 |
Conflicts of interest involving native species | |||
 |
Sustainable use of species |