Abstract: By the methods of fixed-spot observation, GPS positioning, plot sampling measurement, factor analysis, and χ² test, an investigation was made in early March, 2006-2009 on the habitat selection of black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix) at its late wintering stage in Honghuaerji National Nature Reserve, Inner Mongolia. The key elements for the habitat selection were food and concealment. The habitat selection had two levels (macro-habitat and micro-habitat) and two processes (habitat type choice and habitat site choice). The habitat type choice had the characters of universality and particularity, with the Mongolian pine, blackberry-Mongolian pine, and white birch-Mongolian pine forests as the main objects (80.3%). As for habitat site choice, terrain factor and human disturbance factor were most important. The sites with low altitude (800-900 m), low gradient (<20°), mid and lower slope, and far away from village (>12 km), road (1-2 km), and forest edge (>600 m) were more preferred by the black grouse.

Key words: Mammalian herbivore, Food selection, Foraging behavior, Information transmission, Foraging ecology