Ruffed Grouse
Bonasa umbellus
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Ruffed Grouse is a medium-sized game bird with mottled brown, black, and grey plumage. It has a small crest, a fan-shaped tail with a dark band, and feathered legs. The bird's most distinctive feature is the dark ruff of feathers around its neck.
Both sexes look similar, with slight variations in coloration - females are usually less vivid and have smaller ruffs. Some individuals may have a more reddish-brown or greyish overall appearance, depending on their habitat and region.
Size
Length
41cm to 50cm
Wingspan
50cm to 64cm
Weight
450g to 750g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown Grey
Secondary Colour
Black White
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Grey
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Ruffed Grouse inhabit deciduous and mixed forests across North America, from Alaska to the Appalachian Mountains. They prefer areas with dense understory and a mix of young and mature trees.
In the United States, they are found in the northern states, the Appalachians, and parts of the Rocky Mountains. In Canada, they occur in all provinces and territories except Nunavut.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 3,700 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subarctic
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Ruffed Grouse. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Ruffed Grouse demonstrates remarkable agility, particularly in its explosive takeoff and ability to navigate through dense forest undergrowth. Its capacity for quick, evasive manoeuvres when startled contributes to its high agility rating.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
While not exceptionally strong compared to larger birds, the Ruffed Grouse possesses adequate strength for its size. Its ability to perform the wing-beating drumming display and fly short distances through dense vegetation indicates moderate strength.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Ruffed Grouse show impressive adaptability, thriving in various forest habitats from sea level to 3,700 metres elevation. Their seasonal diet changes, specialised digestive system, and winter adaptations like toe projections for walking on snow demonstrate high adaptability.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Ruffed Grouse are not particularly aggressive birds. While males perform drumming displays during mating season, they generally avoid confrontation. Their primary defence strategy involves camouflage and explosive flight rather than aggressive behaviour.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
The Ruffed Grouse exhibits good endurance, particularly in its ability to survive harsh winter conditions. Their capacity to digest fibrous plant material and create insulated snow roosts indicates resilience. However, their relatively short lifespan (1-3 years) suggests moderate rather than exceptional endurance.
Diet
Ruffed Grouse have a varied diet that changes seasonally. In spring and summer, they consume leaves, buds, and insects. During fall and winter, they primarily feed on berries, nuts, and tree buds.
They have a specialized digestive system that allows them to eat fibrous plant material.
Behaviour
Ruffed Grouse are known for their explosive takeoff when startled, creating a loud whirring sound with their wings. They are primarily ground-dwelling birds but can fly short distances through dense forests.
During mating season, males perform a distinctive drumming display by rapidly beating their wings while standing on a log.
Vocalisation
Ruffed Grouse are generally quiet birds, but they produce a variety of soft clucks, whines, and peeps.
Their most distinctive sound is not vocal but mechanical - the male's drumming display. This sound starts slowly and builds to a rapid crescendo, often described as an accelerating 'thump-thump-thump'.
Nesting & Breeding
Ruffed Grouse breeding season begins in early spring. Males attract females through drumming displays, but they do not form lasting pair bonds.
Females create a shallow depression on the ground, often at the base of a tree or stump, lined with leaves and grass. They typically lay 9-14 cream-colored eggs with brown speckles.
Incubation lasts about 24 days, carried out solely by the female. Chicks are precocial, leaving the nest within 24 hours of hatching and can fly short distances after 10-12 days.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While the Ruffed Grouse is currently listed as Least Concern, some populations have experienced declines due to habitat loss and fragmentation.
Conservation efforts focus on maintaining diverse forest habitats and promoting sustainable forestry practices that benefit the species.
Birdwatching Tips
- Listen for the male's drumming sound in spring, which can be heard up to a quarter-mile away
- Look for them in dense, mixed forests with plenty of understory
- Be patient and move slowly, as they often freeze in place when threatened
- In winter, search for their distinctive snowshoe-like tracks in snowy areas
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Predators
Ruffed Grouse face predation from various animals, including hawks, owls, foxes, coyotes, and bobcats. Nestlings and eggs are vulnerable to raccoons, skunks, and snakes.
Did You Know?
- Ruffed Grouse can digest toxic plants that other animals can't eat.
- They grow comb-like projections on their toes in winter, acting like snowshoes.
- Some Ruffed Grouse dive into soft snow to roost, creating insulated shelters.
References
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2021. Bonasa umbellus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T22679500A139379109.
View source - 3
report, 2018: Pardieck et al.
- 2
website, 2019: Partners in Flight
View source
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