The Sooty Grouse is a resident of the west coast and coastal mountain forests of North America, from South Alaska to Northern California. It is a chicken-like bird, about 20 in/51 cm in length. It is grayish in colour with speckled back and wings and a long neck and tail. It is very shy and when startled will fly up into a tree and freeze until you have passed by. It feeds on seeds, fruits, leaves and in the winter mostly on conifer needles.