As usually, I meet my best photographic subjects when I less expect them .
Last year I visited for the first time some woods of Northern Romania. During one of these trips, I was in a car when I noticed right in front of us some birds. I didn’t recognized them so I asked the driver to slow down or even to turn off the car, but she said if she would do that, the birds will fly. So, I tried to take them some photos even if the car was vibrating.
This bird is called: Hazel Grouse.
It is a small bird from grouse family and has under 40 cm length.
Inhabit especially in forest of coniferous.
Its diet consists of buds, fruits, berries, seeds, ants, beetles, caterpillars and other insects.
Female lays up to 12 eggs. Incubation takes 21-25 days .
Unfortunately, hazel grouse may be hunted in season, 15th September – 15th December.
I know these photos aren’t so great but for me they are very important because I am absolutely sure I won’t see this bird soon.
Cornell's photos and words 
I like grouse.
How nice! I have never seen one of these – no hazel grouse in this country.
I didn’t know you don’t have them there.
We also (in British Columbia) do not have Hazel Grouse. We have one called Blue Grouse and also Spruce Grouse. They are all very interesting because they have the behaviour of frightening people, suddenly flying up with a great whrrrrrr of wings. They often wait until the last second before finally deciding the camouflage of grasses and foliage isn’t going to protect them. That’s why hunters use dogs to make them fly up, exposing them to the hunter. But I have never eaten one, and do not wish to. They are too beautiful!
Spruce Grouse is very beautiful.
It is sad they hunt them, but we don’t have what to do. Even laws are broken and they are hunted….