Earlier postings mentioned grouse names, including Spruce Grouse, being
related to habitat or associated plants.

In a former life, I spent 5 years in western Montana where Spruce Grouse
were quite common. I do not recall associating them particularly with
spruce, and in fact I don't think spruce was particularly common there. The
forests they inhabited were primarily Lodgepole Pine and Western Larch.

The best places to find Spruce Grouse were in stands of Western Larch, where
they fed on the soft larch needles, or along roadsides where Kinnikinnick
(Bearberry) grew as they also fed heavily on the red berries.

Dave Nunnallee
dnun461 at ecy.wa.gov
Bellevue, WA