Large bird Tetrao uroqallus of the grouse type, family Tetraonidae, order Galliformes. Found in coniferous woodland in Europe and northern Asia, it is about the size of the turkey and resembles the blackcock in appearance and polygamous habit. The general colour of the male is blackish-grey above, black below, with a dark green chest, and rounded tail which is fanned out in courtship. The female is smaller, mottled, and has a reddish breast barred with black. The feathers on the legs and feet are longest in winter time, and the toes are naked. The capercaillie feeds on insects, worms, berries, and young pine-shoots. At nearly 1 m/3 ft long, the male is the biggest gamebird in Europe. The female is about 60 cm/2 ft long.

Hunted to extinction in Britain in the 18th century, the capercaillie was reintroduced from Sweden in the 1830s and has re-established itself in Scotland.