La détresse sexuelle d’une femelle de Grand Tétras en Lozère

The Western Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) is the largest member of the grouse family, reaching over 100 cm in length and 6.7 kg in weight. It is a sedentary species, breeding across northern parts of Europe and western and central Asia in mature conifer forests with diverse species composition and a relatively open canopy structure.
It is a shy species, sensitive towards disturbances. The average escape distance is about 30 to 150 metres. However, some birds do not escape but on the contrary come closer towards people. The frequency, behavior, and testosterone levels of deviant capercaillies were studied in southern Finland. Roughly 1% of the population was estimated to behave abnormally. Deviant males display and show threatening behavior toward not only humans, but also attacked stuffed capercaillie males and without hesitation copulated with a stuffed female. Deviant females appear tame and crouch in front of humans.
In May 2011, such a female was found by Stéphane Faudon near the lake of Charpal (Lozère, France) and then captured and released in an area with several males.