Black Grouse – Canton of Fribourg
The Black Grouse and Its Display in Fribourg, A Hidden Ballet of the Swiss Mountains
The black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix), an emblematic bird of the Alps, fascinates with its spectacular courtship display. Each spring, in the alpine forests and meadows of Fribourg, this galliform performs a ritual dance, fragile and precious, to be observed only with patience and respect.
Before dawn: the silent approach
Photographing the black grouse requires a unique rhythm. One must leave well before dawn, sometimes in the middle of the night, to quietly reach the high pastures still frozen by the cold, where dew and the last patches of snow glisten under the starlight. Some even choose to camp on site, already in place when the day begins. In the darkness, every step resonates, and silence is essential: disturbing these birds during their display can compromise an entire breeding season.
An impressive ritual
When the first light appears, the males gather on arenas known as “leks.” There begins the ballet. Feathers puffed, tails fanned, and wings lowered, they advance with determination, punctuated by deep calls and rapid wing beats. In the silence of dawn, their low bubbling and sharp whistles echo like sounds from another time. The contrast between the austerity of the alpine landscape and the intensity of their performance creates an atmosphere both fragile and vibrant.
Between April and May, as the snow gradually retreats, the Fribourg Prealps reveal unique scenes, where the first rays of sunlight highlight the black-and-white silhouettes of the birds in full display.
A declining species
Despite the beauty of this ritual, the black grouse remains a vulnerable species. Habitat fragmentation, caused by the expansion of human activities such as mountain tourism, gradually reduces its display grounds. To address this, local measures establish quiet zones in spring, reminding us that this bird can only be admired if it is protected.
A rare and precious encounter
Witnessing the black grouse’s display is more than a photographic experience: it is a privilege. In the cold morning light, breath held, one watches an ancestral scene, a fragile witness of alpine balance. More than an image, it is an intimate encounter with a discreet and fascinating bird, embodying the richness of the Swiss mountains.
