Franklin’s Spruce Grouse – State Wildlife Action Plan

Franklin’s Spruce Grouse is a resident bird of the Rocky Mountains, ranging from central British Columbia and southwestern Alberta south to eastern Washington and northeastern Oregon, including the Wallowa Mountains. Males have h a black breast marked by white spots along the sides, a black tail with white spots at the base, and a red comb above the eye. Females look quite different, with dark brown and white barring across their bodies and a dark tail.

Overview

Species Common Name Franklin's Spruce Grouse
Species Scientific Name Canachites canadensis franklinii
State Listing Status Sensitive (pending)

Ecoregions

Blue Mountains

Located in NE Oregon, the Blue Mountains ecoregion is the largest ecoregion in the state. It provides a diverse complex of mountain ranges, valleys, and plateaus that extend beyond Oregon into the states of Idaho and Washington.

Special needs

Franklin’s Spruce Grouse are associated with high elevation lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) and mixed conifer forests in Oregon.

Limiting factors

Franklin’s Spruce Grouse has poor dispersal ability and occupies a limited, fragmented range in Oregon. It is found only in the Wallowa Mountains and the Snake River Divide in eastern Union, northeastern Baker, and southern and eastern Wallowa Counties. Natural forest disturbances are important for maintaining suitable habitat. The species’ populations cycle with plant succession. Advanced forest succession and the conversion of conifer-dominated forests to other habitat types contribute to population declines. Stand-replacement fires, often associated with overstocked forest stands, represent a primary threat. Accidental harvest can occur when hunters mistake Franklin’s Spruce Grouse for Dusky or Ruffed Grouse. Climate change also threatens the high-elevation habitats on which this species depends.

Data gaps

• Assess annual population trends.
• Evaluate seasonal habitat use and distribution.
• Identify best forest management practices beneficial to spruce grouse.
• Determine historical and current distribution, especially along the Snake River.

Conservation actions

• Identify candidate sites for reintroduction.
• Establish monitoring plan to understand population trends.
• Recommend timber harvest practices beneficial to Spruce Grouse.

Key reference or plan

Williamson, S.J., D. Keppie, R. Davison, D. Budeau, S. Carriere, D. Rabe, and M. Schroeder. 2008. Spruce Grouse Continental Conservation Plan. Read here

Crawford. 1989. Spruce Grouse in Oregon.