capercaillie

American  

[kap-er-keyl-yee] / ˌkæp ərˈkeɪl yi /

Also capercailzie

noun

1. a large grouse, Tetrao urogallus, of Eurasian forests.

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capercaillie British  

/ ˌkæpəˈkeɪljɪ, -ˈkeɪlzɪ, ˌkæpəˈkeɪljɪ /

noun

1. a large European woodland grouse, Tetrao urogallus, having a black plumage and fan-shaped tail in the male

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Etymology

Origin of capercaillie

1530–40; < Scots Gaelic capull coille (by dissimilation), literally, horse of the woods; for first element, compare Middle English capel horse, Old Norse kapall nag, from the same source (probably Celtic ) as Latin caballus horse; spelling lz is early typographical rendering of manuscript spelling l + yogh letter (representing palatal l ); compare parallel spelling of surnames Mackenzie, Menzies

Example Sentences

Animals ranging from the red squirrel to the capercaillie grouse are also depicted, as part of an effort to show the importance, and precariousness, of the natural world.

From BBC • Aug. 19, 2024

They provide habitat for red squirrels and birds such as capercaillie, crested tits and crossbills.

From BBC • Feb. 2, 2023

A few years from now, these stems will develop into a barrier against erosion, a carbon sink and a habitat for distinctive Highland birds such as the capercaillie and ptarmigan.

From The Guardian • Feb. 25, 2020

Menazas has noticed that the valley’s climate is already warming, with less snow and bird species such as the capercaillie nesting higher up.

From Slate • Dec. 5, 2018

Ralph had, indeed, many a time hunted rabbits, hares, mountain-cock, and capercaillie.

From Boyhood in Norway by Boyesen, Hjalmar Hjorth