Tetrao urogallus

- Plumage: Male mostly dark slate-grey with metallic blue-green breast shield, dark brown wings with white carpal spots, broad black tail flecked white. - Beak: Massive, heavy, pale ivory-horn coloured curved bill. - Body build: Enormous, heavy forest gamebird (male weight up to 4.5–5 kg) with a broad fan-like tail and sturdy legs. - Distinctive details: Bright scarlet-red bare skin crest (rose) above the eye, tufted beard feathers on chin, heavily feathered toes with comb-like pectinations.

The capercaillie is a symbol of intact pine forests in Scandinavia. In winter, it feeds almost exclusively on pine needles, a unique adaptation to the boreal cold.