Bird field guide · Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies

Photographing the Sooty Grouse

How to photograph the Sooty Grouse (Dendragapus fuliginosus): the right lens for its size, shutter speeds for perched and moving animals, and when it's most often seen (July and August).

30–110 cm1/2000 s
30–110 cm
Typical length (family range)
1/500 s
Shutter: perched / still
1/2000 s
Shutter: action / flight
f/5.6–f/8
Aperture
7,300
Research-grade sightings in N. America
ModeManual + Auto ISOLock shutter & aperture, let ISO float
Shutter (still)1/500 s
Shutter (action)1/2000 s
Aperturef/5.6–f/8
FocusAF-C + subject/eye detectionShoot from ground level; game birds flush suddenly, so keep the shutter fast and AF in continuous mode.
DriveHigh-speed burst
Lens100–400 mmFull-frame equivalent

Focal length needed to frame it#

For a subject about 70 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.

Distance⅓ of frame (FF)½ of frame (FF)⅓ of frame (APS-C)⅓ of frame (MFT)
5 m (16 ft)83 mm125 mm56 mm42 mm
10 m (33 ft)167 mm251 mm111 mm83 mm
15 m (49 ft)250 mm376 mm167 mm125 mm
20 m (66 ft)334 mm501 mm223 mm167 mm
30 m (98 ft)501 mm752 mm334 mm250 mm
50 m (164 ft)834 mm1,253 mm556 mm417 mm

When to find it#

Jan: 0% Jan Feb: 0% Feb Mar: 1% Mar Apr: 5% Apr May: 7% May Jun: 13% Jun Jul: 26% Jul Aug: 26% Aug Sep: 16% Sep Oct: 5% Oct Nov: 1% Nov Dec: 0% Dec
Share of iNaturalist observations by month across North America. Peak months: July and August.

About the Sooty Grouse#

The sooty grouse (Dendragapus fuliginosus) is a species of forest-dwelling grouse native to North America's Pacific Coast Ranges. It is closely related to the dusky grouse (Dendragapus obscurus), and the two were previously considered a single species, the blue grouse.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field-craft tips#

  • Lek displays at dawn (spring) — use a blind and arrive before light.
  • Shoot from ground level; game birds flush suddenly, so keep the shutter fast and AF in continuous mode.
  • Sightings peak in July and August, which is when you'll have the most chances.

Ethics#

  • The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
  • Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
  • Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
  • Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.

More Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies#

Wild Turkey Wild TurkeyMeleagris gallopavo Ruffed Grouse Ruffed GrouseBonasa umbellus Ring-necked Pheasant Ring-necked PheasantPhasianus colchicus Indian Peafowl Indian PeafowlPavo cristatus Red Junglefowl Red JunglefowlGallus gallus Spruce Grouse Spruce GrouseCanachites canadensis Dusky Grouse Dusky GrouseDendragapus obscurus Chukar ChukarAlectoris chukar

Frequently asked questions#

What lens do I need to photograph a Sooty Grouse?

At about 70 cm long, a sooty grouse fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 167 mm, or at 20 m with 334 mm.

What shutter speed should I use for a Sooty Grouse?

1/500 s when it's still; 1/2000 s for action.

When is the best time to photograph a Sooty Grouse?

Observations in North America peak in July and August. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.

Sources & licences#

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources