Their breeding habitat is the edges of conifer and mixed forests in mountainous regions of western North America, from southeastern Alaska and Yukon south to California.

Regenerated logged or burned areas also attract the sooty grouse as long as there are plenty of bushes and shrubs to nest in.

[2] The birds move from relatively open breeding areas in autumn to deep coniferous forests in the winter.

Males sing with deep hoots on their territory and make short flapping flights to attract females.

A female will then build her nest on the ground in a shallow hole protected by the covering of bushes or logs.

Currently, the species is of low conservation concern, but if a decline in old-growth forests persists the risk of endangerment will increase.