It is a sedentary species, breeding across the Palearctic as far east as Hokkaido, and as far west as eastern and central Europe, in dense, damp, mixed coniferous woodland, preferably with some spruce.

The bird is sometimes referred to as "rabchick" (from рябчик) by early 20th century English speaking travellers to Russia.

The plumage of this plump bird is finely patterned, but it essentially has grey upperparts, brown wings and chestnut flecked white underparts.

These calls, along with the burr of the flying birds' wings, are often the only indication of this grouse's presence, since its shyness and dense woodland habitat make it difficult to see.

The hazel grouse has 11 recognized subspecies:[4] This bird feeds on the ground, taking mainly plant food, supplemented by insects when breeding.