Male red grouse stake claim to territories in early autumn by means of display flights and frequent crowing. Ownership is reinforced again during late winter in preparation for the breeding season ahead. Once paired, birds remain together until their young have been reared the following summer. The unfortunate birds that fail to pair up and establish territories are forced into poorer marginal habitats and often die during the winter.

It is the top-to-toe feathering of these hardy birds that allows them to survive the often appalling moorland weather conditions. In order to avoid being buried in drifting snow grouse may have to keep treading with their feet for extended periods. When snow cover is established these dark coloured birds avoid detection from their airborne predators, such as golden eagle and peregrine falcon, by feeding beneath the snow cover.