Wildlife Conservation

Wild Capercaillie Conservation in Scotland

The capercaillie is Scotland's most endangered bird and is on the brink of extinction in the UK. Targeted management of forest disturbance and predation is critical for population survival.

Key Facts

Fewer than 500 capercaillie remain in Scotland, mostly in Speyside and Abernethy forest
Capercaillie require old-growth Caledonian forest with bilberry understorey
Human disturbance during the lekking and breeding season is a significant welfare and conservation threat
Predation by foxes, crows and pine martens affects nest and chick survival
Deer fencing that creates collision hazards has caused significant capercaillie mortality

Welfare Considerations

Capercaillie face extinction in Scotland. Each surviving bird has welfare significance in the context of an almost vanished population. Disturbance and predation management requires difficult but evidence-based conservation choices.

What You Can Do

Keep dogs on leads in capercaillie habitat between January and June
Support RSPB Abernethy Forest and Highland Wildlife Trust capercaillie projects
Advocate for deer fence marking and removal in capercaillie flight paths