The genus Dendragapus contains two closely related species of grouse that have often been treated as a single variable taxon (blue grouse). The two species are the dusky grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) and the sooty grouse (Dendragapus fuliginosus). In addition, the spruce grouse and Siberian grouse have been considered part of this genus. The blue grouse is one of wild game bird hunters' more challenging prey because it generally requires hiking into higher mountain areas to find and pursue.