Adult males are mainly dark with a purplish throat air sac surrounded by white, and a yellow to red wattle over the eye during display.

[5] The breeding habitat of the dusky grouse is the edges of conifer and mixed forests in mountainous regions of western North America, from southeastern Alaska and Yukon south to New Mexico.

The dusky grouse has four recognized subspecies:[6] They are permanent residents but move short distances by foot and short flights to denser forest areas in winter, with the odd habit of moving to higher altitudes in winter.

Then, in the spring and summer, the fresh green growth of various herbaceous perennials (Pteridium, Salix) and berry plants (Gaultheria, Mahonia, Rubus, Vaccinium), as well as invertebrates (particularly larger ants, beetles, crickets and grasshoppers), become more available and thus more readily consumed.

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