The capercaillie in the Black Forest: the shy king of the forest

The capercaillie is the largest native chicken bird and feels particularly at home in the sparse forests of the Black Forest. Males and females are very different:

• Capercaillie (male): Up to 90 cm tall, dark plumage with a greenish sheen, red crest above the eyes - a real showpiece.
• Capercaillie hen (female): Significantly smaller, perfectly adapted to the forest with brown camouflage plumage.

Particularly spectacular: the mating season in spring! This is when the cocks engage in impressive fights and make strange noises - a mixture of clicking, trilling and a plopping sound.

Why is the capercaillie endangered?

The capercaillie used to be widespread, but today it is an endangered species. The main reasons:

• Habitat loss: Dense spruce monocultures and a lack of clearings make life difficult for the bird.
• Human disturbance: Hikers, mountain bikers and skiers disturb the capercaillie, especially during the breeding season.
• Predators: Foxes, martens and hawks make life difficult for the shy bird.

How we at stuub are committed to the capercaillie

Sustainability is important to us at stuub - and that includes protecting the capercaillie. That's why we work closely with the "Auerhuhn im Schwarzwald e.V." association. Together, we are committed to the conservation of this fascinating bird by:

• Informing guests about the capercaillie and its protection
• Promoting sustainable tourism that shows consideration for flora and fauna
• Supporting awareness-raising measures to minimise disturbance to the capercaillie's habitat

As a guest in our stuub holiday accommodation, you can not only enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings, but also make a contribution to species conservation at the same time, as a small amount goes to the association for every overnight stay at stuub.