Alan Davidson

Black Grouse

Appears in
Oxford Companion to Food
Oxford Companion to Food

By Alan Davidson

Published 2014

  • About

black grouse Tetrao tetrix, also known as black game or blackcock (the male, the female being grey hen), a European game bird, male specimens of which have an average total length of about 50 cm (21"). Its range extends from N. Europe to NE Asia. Males are blue-black in colour, females brown.

The reputation of the black grouse as a table bird is good. It can be roasted, perhaps with thin rashers of bacon and vine leaves clothing it, or fillets can be taken and cooked in a suitable sauce.