hazel grouse
A bird species (Bonasa bonasia) found in Hokkaido; the name literally means 'Ezo (old name for Hokkaido) thunder bird'.
The hazel grouse inhabits the forests of Hokkaido.
Standard katakana spelling for this bird name.
Kanji spelling is rare; the word is usually written in kana.
Compound of 蝦夷 (Ezo, old name for Hokkaido) and 雷鳥 (raichō, ptarmigan). The name reflects its habitat and resemblance to ptarmigans.