The image depicts a classical oil painting featuring two male capercaillie birds engaged in a courtship display within a misty forest setting. The birds, characterized by their dark plumage and fanned, white-spotted tails, occupy the center of the foreground. They stand on a patch of golden, dry grass near a large, weathered log in the lower left, with their heads raised and beaks slightly parted as if in vocalization. A third, smaller bird is partially visible in the shadowed foliage further back on the left.
The composition is anchored by the naturalistic contrast between the dark, detailed forms of the birds and the muted, atmospheric background. The forest recedes into the distance, with deep tree shadows on the left transitioning into a lighter, hazy clearing on the right. Tall, thin pine trunks create vertical lines that draw the eye toward the soft, pale horizon, suggesting a cool, early morning light. The light is diffused, casting a serene and somewhat somber mood over the woodland.
The colour palette is dominated by earthy tones: deep forest greens, rich browns, and the bright, warm ochre of the dead grasses, punctuated by the striking black and white of the capercaillies' feathers. The artistic style is reminiscent of 19th-century European realism, prioritizing precision in anatomical detail and the subtle play of light against a wild, untamed landscape.