Ruffed Grouse: Subspecies, Behavior, And More
The ruffed grouse is a medium-sized grouse species native to forests across much of North America. It is known for its distinctive ruffs of feathers around its neck and its fanned tail feathers.
Read on to learn more about identifying, behaviors of, and conservation efforts for this popular game bird.
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Identification Step-by-Step
Identifying characteristics of the ruffed grouse include:
Size – 16 to 20 inches long with a wingspan around 2 feet. Weighs between 1-2 pounds typically.
Color – Feathers are mottled shades of brown, gray, rusty red, and white. When seen up close, black ruffs (ruffs refer to feathers) around the neck are visible.
Tail – A broad fan-shaped tail with a darker band near the tip is often seen on fleeing birds. It helps distinguish it from other grouse species.
Sounds – The most recognizable sound is the “drumming” display made by males in spring. The rapid beating of wings makes a throbbing sound akin to a muffled drum.
Ruffed Grouse Profile
| Characteristic | Information |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bonasa umbellus |
| Alternative Name | Partridge |
| Color | Varied shades of brown and gray with distinctive ruffed neck feathers |
| Size | Approximately 16–20 inches (40–50 cm) in length |
| Wingspan | Around 20–25 inches (50–64 cm) |
| Weight | 450-750 grams |
| Lifespan | 1–3 years in the wild; up to 5–6 years in captivity |
| Breeding Season | From late April to May |
| Lay Eggs | Clutch size ranges from 9 to 14 eggs |
| Diet and Prey | Herbivorous, feeding on buds, leaves, fruits, and insects; primary prey includes insects, berries, and small invertebrates |
| Threats and Predators | Predators include birds of prey (owls, hawks), mammals (foxes, weasels), and snakes; threats include habitat loss, hunting, and severe weather conditions |
| Locations | Native to North America, inhabiting forests and wooded areas; found in regions with suitable cover, including Canada and the United States |
State Bird And Symbol
Native grouse were extremely abundant in Pennsylvania forests, contributing to an early connection with Pennsylvania hunters and wildlife. The species was eventually formally adopted as the official state bird in 1931 because of this close cultural association.
Subspecies of Ruffed Grouse
The ruffed grouse has 13 recognized subspecies distributed across different regions of North America:
1. Bonasa umbellus brunnescens – Resides on Vancouver Island in Canada
2. Bonasa umbellus castanea – Found on the Olympic Peninsula in the United States
3. Bonasa umbellus incana – Ranges from southeastern Idaho to central Utah in the United States
4. Bonasa umbellus labradorensis – Lives on the Labrador Peninsula in Canada
5. Bonasa umbellus mediana – Located in the north-central United States
6. Bonasa umbellus monticola – Distributed from the central to east-central United States
7. Bonasa umbellus obscura – Native to northern Ontario in Canada
8. Bonasa umbellus phaios – Extends from southeastern British Columbia in Canada to south-central Idaho and eastern Oregon in the United States
9. Bonasa umbellus sabini – Resides along the western coasts of Canada and the United States
10. Bonasa umbellus togata – Found in the north-central and northeastern United States and southeastern Canada
11. Bonasa umbellus umbelloides – Ranges from southeastern Alaska in the United States through central Canada to central Oregon and northwestern Wyoming in the United States
12. Bonasa umbellus umbellus – Located in the east-central United States
13. Bonasa umbellus yukonensis – Native to Alaska in the United States and northwestern Canada
Nesting and Habits
During the breeding season, males will perform elaborate strutting displays and drumming noises to attract females. Nests consist of a simple scrape on the ground lined with leaves, feathers, and grass.
Females lay between 9 to 12 eggs per clutch that then hatch after around 23 days of incubation. Chicks are precocial and able to feed themselves shortly after hatching while still being protected by the mother. Grouse spend most of their time on the ground digging and foraging for food.
Their diet consists of seeds, buds, leaves, flowers, insects, and berries from a variety of plants. Excellent camouflage helps hide them in leaf litter where they explode in flight when startled or reach a tree roost for the night.
Population
The ruffed grouse has an extremely broad range with stable populations overall, estimated at around 15 million total birds. However, densities do fluctuate locally, often based on habitat quality.
Their frequent status as a popular game species also impacts localized populations with around 3 million harvested annually by hunters.
Migration
Unlike other grouse species, the ruffed grouse does not make any true long-distance migrations. They make minor altitude adjustments, moving slightly downhill in winter months and uphill in summer, but generally reside year-round in the same general wooded habitats. Dispersal movements among juveniles and by some adults also impact local distribution.
Behavior
Ruffed grouse spend most of their time quietly walking and feeding on the forest floor. When startled, their burst into flight is accompanied by a sudden loud thrashing of wings that gives away their presence.
While not social flockers, loose assemblages gather near good feeding areas in winter. Dynamic displays by breeding males in spring provide one of the most conspicuous behavioral spectacles.
Interhuman Connection
Beyond serving as a popular game bird among hunters, the ruffed grouse also exerts influence through other cultural connections:
Folklore – Features in many Native American tales of the northeastern tribes as a wise guide or trickster.
State Pride – As the state bird of Pennsylvania, it contributes to cultural identity much like the bald eagle does nationally.
Falconry – Valued as a game bird pursued by falcons and goshawks in traditional hawking recreational sport.
Conservation Status
Currently, the ruffed grouse has a conservation status of Least Concern according to the IUCN. Hunting is closely managed via permits and seasonal restrictions to maintain populations for sustainable harvests.
As a game species, revenue from hunting licenses aids state wildlife agencies in monitoring and managing grouse. Loss of young forest habitat needed for forage does pose a potential threat.
Legal Protections
As a prolific game species, the ruffed grouse be legally hunted in most states with appropriate permits subject to seasonal restrictions. Exact regulations vary by state but many limit each hunter to only a few grouse per day.
Standard hunting regulations also apply to weapons used and licensing requirements. Ruffed grouse currently have no special legal status beyond managed game species.
Frequently Ask Questions
01. How fast does a ruffed grouse fly?
In burst flight, the ruffed grouse can quickly reach 40-50 mph but only over short distances of a few hundred yards. This rapid flush gives them a quick escape from predators.
02. What is the drumming sound made by ruffed grouse?
Male ruffed grouse make a distinctive throbbing “drumming” sound by rapidly beating their wings. This serves to attract females in the spring breeding season and demarcate territory against other males.
03. Do ruffed grouse actually live in the “ruff”?
No, the ruff refers to the prominent neck feathers they can raise like a ruffled collar. This is used during courtship displays and territorial encounters. They nest on the forest floor and roost nightly on the ground or up in trees.
04. Are ruffed grouse easy to hunt?
Beginning grouse hunters are often surprised by how challenging it can be to harvest these birds. Quick explosive flushes, dense forest cover, and their ability to run on the ground make targeting difficult.
05. What predators eat ruffed grouse?
Common mammalian predators of ruffed grouse include foxes, bobcats, coyotes, raccoons, weasels, hawks, and owls. Nests and eggs also be taken by ravens, snakes, or chipmunks.
Final Word
The ruffed grouse is a popular game bird steeped in regional history and folklore whose flashy displays and explosive flight should be appreciated by outdoor enthusiasts across the ranges this unique grouse calls home.
Careful monitoring and habitat management can aid the conservation of healthy populations of this forest dweller in the future.
References
- The Pennsylvania State University. “Species page: Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus).” Accessed: November 30, 2023.
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. “Ruffed Grouse population ecology.” Accessed: November 30, 2023.
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology. “Ruffed Grouse Life History.” Accessed: November 30, 2023. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ruffed_Grouse
