The capercaillie is Scotlands largest grouse, now critically endangered. Disturbance, habitat loss, and predation threaten remaining populations in Caledonian pinewoods.
Capercaillie experience chronic stress from human disturbance near leks and nesting areas. Females disturbed from nests abandon eggs, causing total breeding failure. Dogs flushing birds in winter deplete critical fat reserves needed to survive cold. Access management, pine forest expansion, and predator control are essential welfare and conservation tools.