Capercaillie are critically endangered in Scotland with fewer than 500 birds remaining. Individual bird welfare intersects with population management through nest protection, predator management, and disturbance reduction.
Individual capercaillie experience significant disturbance stress from human intrusion at lek sites, where birds are highly sensitive to approach. Nest failure from predation causes direct welfare impacts on chicks and adult females. Conservation interventions that reduce disturbance, protect nests, and manage predators protect individual bird welfare as well as population viability.