Bird field guide · Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies

Photographing the Spruce Grouse

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

30–110 cm1/2000 s
Spruce Grouse (Canachites canadensis)
Photo: © Joeb, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Joeb via iNaturalist
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
9,271
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: 1% Jan Feb: 2% Feb Mar: 2% Mar Apr: 3% Apr May: 9% May Jun: 11% Jun Jul: 18% Jul Aug: 21% Aug Sep: 19% Sep Oct: 11% Oct Nov: 2% Nov Dec: 1% Dec
Share of iNaturalist observations by month across North America. Peak months: July, August and September.

About the Spruce Grouse#

The spruce grouse (Canachites canadensis), also known as Canada grouse, spruce hen or fool hen, is a medium-sized grouse closely associated with the coniferous boreal forests or taiga of North America. It is the only member of the genus Canachites.

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, August and September, 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 Sooty GrouseDendragapus fuliginosus Dusky Grouse Dusky GrouseDendragapus obscurus Chukar ChukarAlectoris chukar

Frequently asked questions#

What lens do I need to photograph a Spruce Grouse?

At about 70 cm long, a spruce 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 Spruce Grouse?

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

When is the best time to photograph a Spruce Grouse?

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

Sources & licences#

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