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[[File:Bonasa umbellus male 253270687.jpg|thumb|A male found at the [[Kortright Centre for Conservation|Kortright Center for Conservation]].]]
[[File:Bonasa umbellus male 253270687.jpg|thumb|A male found at the [[Kortright Centre for Conservation|Kortright Center for Conservation]]]]
The '''ruffed grouse''' ('''''Bonasa umbellus''''') is a medium-sized [[grouse]] occurring in forests from the [[Appalachian Mountains]] across Canada to [[Alaska]]. It is the most widely distributed game bird in North America.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://ruffedgrousesociety.org/grouse-facts/ | title=Grouse Facts }}</ref> It is [[bird migration|non-migratory]]. It is the only species in the genus '''''Bonasa'''''.
The '''ruffed grouse''' ('''''Bonasa umbellus''''') is a medium-sized [[grouse]] occurring in forests from the [[Appalachian Mountains]] across Canada to [[Alaska]]. It is the most widely distributed game bird in North America.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://ruffedgrousesociety.org/grouse-facts/ | title=Grouse Facts }}</ref> It is not [[bird migration|migratory]]. It is the only species in the genus '''''Bonasa'''''. The ruffed grouse is sometimes incorrectly referred to as a "[[partridge]]", an unrelated [[Phasianidae|phasianid]], and occasionally confused with the [[grey partridge]], a bird of open areas rather than woodlands.<ref name=ADW/>
 
The ruffed grouse is sometimes incorrectly referred to as a "[[partridge]]", an unrelated [[Phasianidae|phasianid]], and occasionally confused with the [[grey partridge]], a bird of open areas rather than woodlands.<ref name=ADW/>


The ruffed grouse is the [[List of U.S. state birds|state game bird]] of [[Pennsylvania]], United States.<ref>{{cite web |title=1931 Act 234 |url=https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/LI/uconsCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&yr=1931&sessInd=0&smthLwInd=0&act=0234. |website=Pennsylvania General Assembly |access-date=17 November 2022}}</ref>
The ruffed grouse is the [[List of U.S. state birds|state game bird]] of [[Pennsylvania]], United States.<ref>{{cite web |title=1931 Act 234 |url=https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/LI/uconsCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&yr=1931&sessInd=0&smthLwInd=0&act=0234. |website=Pennsylvania General Assembly |access-date=17 November 2022}}</ref>
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==Description==
==Description==
[[File:Ruffed Grouse (1).jpg|thumb|Grey morph.]]
[[File:Ruffed Grouse (1).jpg|thumb|Grey morph.]]
Ruffed grouse are chunky, medium-sized birds that weigh from {{convert|450|-|750|g|lb|abbr=on}}, measure from {{convert|40|to|50|cm|in|abbr=on}} in length and span {{convert|50|-|64|cm|in|abbr=on}} across their short, strong wings.<ref name=Cornell/> They have two distinct [[morph (zoology)|morphs]]: grey and brown. In the grey morph, the head, neck, and back are grey-brown; the breast is light with barring. There is much white on the underside and flanks. Overall, the birds have a variegated appearance; the throat is often distinctly lighter. The tail is essentially the same brownish grey, with regular barring and a broad black band near the end ("subterminal"). Brown-morph birds have tails of the same color and pattern. However, the rest of the plumage is much more brown, giving the appearance of a more uniform bird with less light plumage below and a conspicuously grey tail. There are all sorts of intergrades between the most typical morphs; warmer and more [[humid]] conditions favor browner birds in general.{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}}
Ruffed grouse are chunky, medium-sized birds that weigh from {{convert|450|-|750|g|lb|abbr=on}}, measure from {{convert|40|to|50|cm|in|abbr=on}} in length, and span {{convert|50|-|64|cm|in|abbr=on}} across their short, strong wings.<ref name=Cornell/> They have two distinct [[morph (zoology)|morphs]] - grey and brown. In the grey morph, the head, neck, and back are grey-brown; the breast is light with barring, with is much white on the underside and flanks. Overall, the birds have a variegated appearance; the throat is often distinctly lighter. The tail is essentially the same brownish grey, with regular barring and a broad black band near the end ("subterminal"). Brown-morph birds have tails of the same color and pattern. However, the rest of the plumage is much more brown, giving the appearance of a more uniform bird with less light plumage below and a conspicuously grey tail. All sorts of intergrades occur between the most typical morphs; warmer and more [[humid]] conditions favor browner birds in general.{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}}


[[File:Grouse3DonLJohnson.jpg|thumb|Displaying male.]]
[[File:Grouse3DonLJohnson.jpg|thumb|Displaying male.]]
The ruffs are on the sides of the neck in both sexes. They also have a crest on top of their head, which sometimes lies flat. Both sexes are similarly marked and sized, making them difficult to tell apart, even in hand. The female often has a broken subterminal tail band. At the same time, males tend to have unbroken tail bands, though the opposite of either can occur. Females may also do a display similar to the male. Another fairly accurate sign is that rump feathers with a single white dot indicate a female; rump feathers with more than one white dot indicate a male.{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}}
The ruffs are on the sides of the neck in both sexes. They also have a crest on top of their head, which sometimes lies flat. Both sexes are similarly marked and sized, making them difficult to tell apart, even in hand. The female often has a broken subterminal tail band. At the same time, males tend to have unbroken tail bands, though the opposite of either can occur. Females may also do a display similar to the male. Another fairly accurate sign is that rump feathers with a single white dot indicate a female; rump feathers with more than one white dot indicate a male.{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}}


The average life span of a ruffed grouse is one year, although some birds are thought to live for as long as eleven years.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.naturenorth.com/winter/grouse/rgrouse2.html | title=Biology of the Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.animalspot.net/ruffed-grouse.html | title=Ruffed Grouse Facts, Habitat, Diet, Life Cycle, Baby, Pictures | date=March 2016 }}</ref> Ruffed grouse are [[Polygyny in animals|polygynous]], and males may mate with several females during the breeding season.{{cn|date=January 2023}}
The average lifespan of a ruffed grouse is one year, although some birds are thought to live for as long as 11 years.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.naturenorth.com/winter/grouse/rgrouse2.html | title=Biology of the Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.animalspot.net/ruffed-grouse.html | title=Ruffed Grouse Facts, Habitat, Diet, Life Cycle, Baby, Pictures | date=March 2016 }}</ref> Ruffed grouse are [[Polygyny in animals|polygynous]], and males may mate with several females during the breeding season.{{cn|date=January 2023}}


==Ecology==
==Ecology==
[[File:Bonasa umbellus MWNH 1111.JPG|thumb|An egg.]]
[[File:Bonasa umbellus MWNH 1111.JPG|thumb|An egg]]
[[File:Grouseeggsinnest.jpg|thumbnail|Nest with large [[clutch (eggs)|clutch]].]]
[[File:Grouseeggsinnest.jpg|thumbnail|Nest with large [[clutch (eggs)|clutch]]]]
Like most grouse, they spend most of their time on the ground; mixed woodland rich in [[aspen]] seems to be particularly well-liked. These birds forage on the ground or in trees. They are [[omnivore]]s, eating buds, leaves, [[Berry|berries]], [[seed]]s, and insects. According to nature writer [[Don L. Johnson]]:
Like most grouse, they spend most of their time on the ground; mixed woodland rich in [[aspen]] seems to be particularly well-liked. These birds forage on the ground or in trees. They are [[omnivore]]s, eating buds, leaves, [[Berry|berries]], [[seed]]s, and insects. According to nature writer [[Don L. Johnson]]:
{{Quote|More than any other characteristic, it is the ruffed grouse's ability to thrive on a wide range of foods that has allowed it to adapt to such a wide and varied range of habitat on this continent. A complete menu of grouse fare might itself fill a book. One grouse crop yielded a live [[salamander]] in a salad of [[watercress]]. Another contained a small snake.<ref name=DJohnson1995/>}}
{{Quote|More than any other characteristic, it is the ruffed grouse's ability to thrive on a wide range of foods that has allowed it to adapt to such a wide and varied range of habitat on this continent. A complete menu of grouse fare might itself fill a book. One grouse crop yielded a live [[salamander]] in a salad of [[watercress]]. Another contained a small snake.<ref name=DJohnson1995/>}}


==Hunting==
==Hunting==
[[File:Bonasa umbellus snow hole.jpg|thumbnail|Snow hole and wing tracks of a grouse as it burst out of the snow when approached.]]
[[File:Bonasa umbellus snow hole.jpg|thumbnail|Snow hole and wing tracks of a grouse as it burst out of the snow when approached]]
{{Quote|text=Hunting of the ruffed grouse is common in the northern and far western United States as well as Canada, often with shotguns. Dogs may also be used. Hunting of the ruffed grouse can be challenging. This is because the grouse spends most of its time in thick brush, aspen stands, and [[Secondary forest|second growth]] pines. It is also very hard to detect a foraging grouse bobbing about in the thicket due to their camouflage. With adequate snow cover, they will burrow under the snow. The ruffed grouse will maintain trails through the [[underbrush]] and pines like other forest creatures. These can often be found by looking for the bird's feathers on the ground and twigs at the edges of its trail. Hunting of the ruffed grouse requires a good ear and lots of stamina as one will be constantly walking and listening for them in the leaves.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ruffed Grouse |url=https://beautyofbirds.com/ruffed-grouse/ |website=Beauty of Birds |access-date=24 March 2023 |date=16 September 2021}}</ref>|author=Joseph B. Barney}}
{{Quote|text=Hunting of the ruffed grouse is common in the northern and far western United States, as well as Canada, often with shotguns. Dogs may also be used. Hunting of the ruffed grouse can be challenging. This is because the grouse spends most of its time in thick brush, aspen stands, and [[Secondary forest|second-growth]] pines. It is also very hard to detect a foraging grouse bobbing about in the thicket due to their camouflage. With adequate snow cover, they will burrow under the snow. The ruffed grouse will maintain trails through the [[underbrush]] and pines like other forest creatures. These can often be found by looking for the bird's feathers on the ground and twigs at the edges of its trail. Hunting of the ruffed grouse requires a good ear and lots of stamina, as one will be constantly walking and listening for them in the leaves.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ruffed Grouse |url=https://beautyofbirds.com/ruffed-grouse/ |website=Beauty of Birds |access-date=24 March 2023 |date=16 September 2021}}</ref>|author=Joseph B. Barney}}


Ruffed grouse frequently seek [[gravel]] and [[clover]] along road beds during early morning and late afternoon. These are good areas to walk during this time to flush birds. Also, grouse use sandy roadbeds to dust their feathers to rid themselves of skin pests. Dusting sites are visible as areas of disturbed soils with some signs of feathers. Birds will return to these spots during the late afternoon to bathe in dust and socialize and mate.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}}
Ruffed grouse frequently seek [[gravel]] and [[clover]] along roadbeds during early morning and late afternoon. These are good areas to walk during this time to flush birds. Also, grouse use sandy roadbeds to dust their feathers to rid themselves of skin pests. Dusting sites are visible as areas of disturbed soils with some signs of feathers. Birds may return to these spots during the late afternoon to bathe in dust and socialize and mate.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}}


==Behavior==
==Behavior==
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The ruffed grouse differs from other grouse species in its [[courtship display]]. The ruffed grouse relies entirely on a non-vocal acoustic display, known as drumming, unlike other grouse species. The drumming itself is a rapid, wing-beating display that creates a low-frequency sound, starting slow and speeding up (thump&nbsp;... thump&nbsp;... thump..thump-thump-thump-thump). Even in thick woods, this can be heard for {{convert|.25|mi}} or more.
The ruffed grouse differs from other grouse species in its [[courtship display]]. The ruffed grouse relies entirely on a nonvocal, acoustic display, known as drumming, unlike other grouse species. The drumming itself is a rapid, wing-beating display that creates a low-frequency sound, starting slow and speeding up (thump&nbsp;... thump&nbsp;... thump..thump-thump-thump-thump). Even in thick woods, this can be heard for a quarter-mile (400 m) or more.


The ruffed grouse spends most of its time quietly on the ground, and when surprised, may explode into flight, beating its wings very loudly. They will burrow into the snow for warmth in the winter and may suddenly burst out of the snow when approached too closely.
The ruffed grouse spends most of its time quietly on the ground, and when surprised, may explode into flight, beating its wings very loudly. It will burrow into the snow for warmth in the winter and may suddenly burst out of the snow when approached too closely.


The male grouse proclaims his property by engaging in a "drumming" display. This sound is made by beating his wings against the air to create a vacuum.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Michael Furtman |first1=Michael |title=Ruffed Grouse: Woodland Drummer |date=2004 |publisher=Stackpole Books |isbn=9780811731225 |page=88 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9Hb9hceUGN8C&pg=PA88 |access-date=4 January 2022}}</ref> It usually stands on a log, stone or mound of dirt when drumming. It does not strike the log to make the noise, it only uses the "drumming log" as a sort of stage.<ref>{{cite web |title=Grouse Facts |url=https://ruffedgrousesociety.org/grouse-facts/ |website=The Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society |access-date=4 January 2022}}</ref>
The male grouse proclaims his territory by engaging in a "drumming" display. This sound is made by beating his wings against the air to create a vacuum.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Michael Furtman |first1=Michael |title=Ruffed Grouse: Woodland Drummer |date=2004 |publisher=Stackpole Books |isbn=9780811731225 |page=88 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9Hb9hceUGN8C&pg=PA88 |access-date=4 January 2022}}</ref> It usually stands on a log, stone, or mound of soil when drumming. It does not strike the log to make the noise, it only uses the "drumming log" as a sort of stage.<ref>{{cite web |title=Grouse Facts |url=https://ruffedgrousesociety.org/grouse-facts/ |website=The Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society |access-date=4 January 2022}}</ref>


The ruffed grouse population has a cycle, and follows the cycle no matter how much or how little hunting there is. The cycle has puzzled scientists for years, and is simply referred to as the "grouse cycle".<ref name="DNRMN_cycle" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1978/01/30/822345/a-firm-stand-for-the-quaking-aspen-gordon-gullion-a-wildlife-ecologist-staunchly-believes-the-lowly-aspen-is-the-salvation-of-the-ruffed-grouse|title=A Firm Stand for the Quaking Aspen|work=Vault|access-date=2018-06-21|language=en|archive-date=21 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621194158/https://www.si.com/vault/1978/01/30/822345/a-firm-stand-for-the-quaking-aspen-gordon-gullion-a-wildlife-ecologist-staunchly-believes-the-lowly-aspen-is-the-salvation-of-the-ruffed-grouse|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wildlife.state.nh.us/hunting/documents/nh-ruffed-grouse-assessment-2015.pdf|title=New Hampshire Ruffed Grouse Assessment 2015|access-date=21 June 2018|archive-date=19 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819031011/https://wildlife.state.nh.us/hunting/documents/nh-ruffed-grouse-assessment-2015.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.postbulletin.com/sports/outdoors/grouse-cycle-nearing--year-peak/article_65f4aac2-826f-5f00-9d19-9f56240edbdb.html|title=Grouse cycle nearing 10-year peak|work=PostBulletin.com|access-date=2018-06-21|language=en}}{{Dead link|date=January 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://birdsna.org/Species-Account/bna/species/rufgro/introduction|title=Ruffed Grouse - Introduction {{!}} Birds of North America Online |website= birdsna.org|doi=10.2173/bow.rufgro.01|s2cid=216329949|language=en|access-date=2018-06-21|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.animalspot.net/ruffed-grouse.html|title=Ruffed Grouse Facts, Habitat, Diet, Life Cycle, Baby, Pictures|website=www.animalspot.net|date=March 2016|language=en-US|access-date=2018-06-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.ruffedgrousesociety.org/RGS-History-1960-s|title=RGS History 1960's |website=www.ruffedgrousesociety.org |language=en |access-date=2018-06-21}}</ref> In spite of this historical cycle, populations have been declining in Pennsylvania and management plans adopted.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url= http://www.pgc.pa.gov/Wildlife/WildlifeSpecies/Documents/Grouse%20and%20Woodcock%20Status%20Report.pdf|title=Pennsylvania 2016 Grouse and Woodcock Status Report|page=7}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url= http://www.pgc.pa.gov/Wildlife/WildlifeSpecies/Pages/RuffedGrouse.aspx |title=Ruffed Grouse|work=Wildlife Species|access-date=2018-06-21|language=en-US}}</ref> Habitat loss has been a concern for the species,<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.pgc.pa.gov/Wildlife/WildlifeSpecies/Documents/GN201310%20Grouse%20in%20the%20Balance%20(1).pdf|title=Grouse in the Balance}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=http://www.centredaily.com/sports/article200774249.html|title=PA Game Commission giving special management attention to ruffed grouse|work=centredaily|access-date=2018-06-21|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url= http://news.psu.edu/story/214111/2004/10/15/grouse-research-leaves-unanswered-questions-about-pennsylvanias-state-bird|title=Grouse research leaves unanswered questions about Pennsylvania's state bird {{!}} Penn State University|access-date=2018-06-21|language=en}}</ref> but the introduction of the [[West Nile virus]] has been seen to be further increasing mortality.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Stauffer|first1=Glenn E.|last2=Miller|first2=David A.W.|last3=Williams|first3=Lisa M. |last4=Brown |first4=Justin |date=2017-09-20|title=Ruffed grouse population declines after introduction of West Nile virus|journal=The Journal of Wildlife Management|volume=82|issue=1|pages=165–172|doi=10.1002/jwmg.21347|issn=0022-541X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.pgc.pa.gov/Wildlife/WildlifeSpecies/Documents/West%20Nile%20Virus%20and%20Pennsylvania%20Grouse.pdf|title=West Nile Virus PA Game Commission Research Summary}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.pgc.pa.gov/Wildlife/WildlifeSpecies/Documents/TWS%20National%202016%20-%20Grouse%20EXP%20Challenge.pdf|title=Susceptibility of Ruffed Grouse (''Bonasa umbellus'') to West Nile Virus}}</ref><ref name=":2" />
The ruffed grouse population has a cycle, and follows the cycle no matter how much or how little hunting occurs. The cycle has puzzled scientists for years, and is simply referred to as the "grouse cycle".<ref name="DNRMN_cycle" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1978/01/30/822345/a-firm-stand-for-the-quaking-aspen-gordon-gullion-a-wildlife-ecologist-staunchly-believes-the-lowly-aspen-is-the-salvation-of-the-ruffed-grouse|title=A Firm Stand for the Quaking Aspen|work=Vault|access-date=2018-06-21|language=en|archive-date=21 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621194158/https://www.si.com/vault/1978/01/30/822345/a-firm-stand-for-the-quaking-aspen-gordon-gullion-a-wildlife-ecologist-staunchly-believes-the-lowly-aspen-is-the-salvation-of-the-ruffed-grouse|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wildlife.state.nh.us/hunting/documents/nh-ruffed-grouse-assessment-2015.pdf|title=New Hampshire Ruffed Grouse Assessment 2015|access-date=21 June 2018|archive-date=19 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819031011/https://wildlife.state.nh.us/hunting/documents/nh-ruffed-grouse-assessment-2015.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.postbulletin.com/sports/outdoors/grouse-cycle-nearing--year-peak/article_65f4aac2-826f-5f00-9d19-9f56240edbdb.html|title=Grouse cycle nearing 10-year peak|work=PostBulletin.com|access-date=2018-06-21|language=en}}{{Dead link|date=January 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://birdsna.org/Species-Account/bna/species/rufgro/introduction|title=Ruffed Grouse - Introduction {{!}} Birds of North America Online |website= birdsna.org|doi=10.2173/bow.rufgro.01|s2cid=216329949|language=en|access-date=2018-06-21|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.animalspot.net/ruffed-grouse.html|title=Ruffed Grouse Facts, Habitat, Diet, Life Cycle, Baby, Pictures|website=www.animalspot.net|date=March 2016|language=en-US|access-date=2018-06-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.ruffedgrousesociety.org/RGS-History-1960-s|title=RGS History 1960's |website=www.ruffedgrousesociety.org |language=en |access-date=2018-06-21}}</ref> In spite of this historical cycle, populations have been declining in Pennsylvania and management plans adopted.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url= http://www.pgc.pa.gov/Wildlife/WildlifeSpecies/Documents/Grouse%20and%20Woodcock%20Status%20Report.pdf|title=Pennsylvania 2016 Grouse and Woodcock Status Report|page=7}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url= http://www.pgc.pa.gov/Wildlife/WildlifeSpecies/Pages/RuffedGrouse.aspx |title=Ruffed Grouse|work=Wildlife Species|access-date=2018-06-21|language=en-US}}</ref> Habitat loss has been a concern for the species,<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.pgc.pa.gov/Wildlife/WildlifeSpecies/Documents/GN201310%20Grouse%20in%20the%20Balance%20(1).pdf|title=Grouse in the Balance}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=http://www.centredaily.com/sports/article200774249.html|title=PA Game Commission giving special management attention to ruffed grouse|work=centredaily|access-date=2018-06-21|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url= http://news.psu.edu/story/214111/2004/10/15/grouse-research-leaves-unanswered-questions-about-pennsylvanias-state-bird|title=Grouse research leaves unanswered questions about Pennsylvania's state bird {{!}} Penn State University|access-date=2018-06-21|language=en}}</ref> but the introduction of the [[West Nile virus]] has been seen to be further increasing mortality.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Stauffer|first1=Glenn E.|last2=Miller|first2=David A.W.|last3=Williams|first3=Lisa M. |last4=Brown |first4=Justin |date=2017-09-20|title=Ruffed grouse population declines after introduction of West Nile virus|journal=The Journal of Wildlife Management|volume=82|issue=1|pages=165–172|doi=10.1002/jwmg.21347|issn=0022-541X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.pgc.pa.gov/Wildlife/WildlifeSpecies/Documents/West%20Nile%20Virus%20and%20Pennsylvania%20Grouse.pdf|title=West Nile Virus PA Game Commission Research Summary}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.pgc.pa.gov/Wildlife/WildlifeSpecies/Documents/TWS%20National%202016%20-%20Grouse%20EXP%20Challenge.pdf|title=Susceptibility of Ruffed Grouse (''Bonasa umbellus'') to West Nile Virus}}</ref><ref name=":2" />


==See also==
==See also==

Latest revision as of 02:21, 23 June 2025

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use American English Template:Speciesbox

File:Bonasa umbellus male 253270687.jpg
A male found at the Kortright Center for Conservation

The ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) is a medium-sized grouse occurring in forests from the Appalachian Mountains across Canada to Alaska. It is the most widely distributed game bird in North America.[1] It is not migratory. It is the only species in the genus Bonasa. The ruffed grouse is sometimes incorrectly referred to as a "partridge", an unrelated phasianid, and occasionally confused with the grey partridge, a bird of open areas rather than woodlands.[2]

The ruffed grouse is the state game bird of Pennsylvania, United States.[3]

Taxonomy

File:Brooklyn Museum - Ruffed Grouse - John J. Audubon.jpg
Ruffed Grouse by John J. Audubon c. 1861.

Bonasa umbellus was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1766 12th edition of Systema Naturae.[4] He classified it as Tetrao umbellus, placing it in a subfamily with Eurasian grouse. The genus Bonasa was applied by British naturalist John Francis Stephens in 1819.[5] Ruffed grouse is the preferred common name because it applies only to this species. Misleading vernacular names abound, however, and it is often called partridge (sometimes rendered pa'tridge, or shortened to pat),[6] pheasant, or prairie chicken, all of which are properly applied to other birds.[7] Other nicknames for ruffed grouse include drummer or thunder-chicken.[8]

The ruffed grouse has 13 recognized subspecies:[9]

Description

File:Ruffed Grouse (1).jpg
Grey morph.

Ruffed grouse are chunky, medium-sized birds that weigh from Template:Convert, measure from Template:Convert in length, and span Template:Convert across their short, strong wings.[10] They have two distinct morphs - grey and brown. In the grey morph, the head, neck, and back are grey-brown; the breast is light with barring, with is much white on the underside and flanks. Overall, the birds have a variegated appearance; the throat is often distinctly lighter. The tail is essentially the same brownish grey, with regular barring and a broad black band near the end ("subterminal"). Brown-morph birds have tails of the same color and pattern. However, the rest of the plumage is much more brown, giving the appearance of a more uniform bird with less light plumage below and a conspicuously grey tail. All sorts of intergrades occur between the most typical morphs; warmer and more humid conditions favor browner birds in general.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

File:Grouse3DonLJohnson.jpg
Displaying male.

The ruffs are on the sides of the neck in both sexes. They also have a crest on top of their head, which sometimes lies flat. Both sexes are similarly marked and sized, making them difficult to tell apart, even in hand. The female often has a broken subterminal tail band. At the same time, males tend to have unbroken tail bands, though the opposite of either can occur. Females may also do a display similar to the male. Another fairly accurate sign is that rump feathers with a single white dot indicate a female; rump feathers with more than one white dot indicate a male.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

The average lifespan of a ruffed grouse is one year, although some birds are thought to live for as long as 11 years.[11][12] Ruffed grouse are polygynous, and males may mate with several females during the breeding season.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Ecology

File:Bonasa umbellus MWNH 1111.JPG
An egg
File:Grouseeggsinnest.jpg
Nest with large clutch

Like most grouse, they spend most of their time on the ground; mixed woodland rich in aspen seems to be particularly well-liked. These birds forage on the ground or in trees. They are omnivores, eating buds, leaves, berries, seeds, and insects. According to nature writer Don L. Johnson: Template:Quote

Hunting

File:Bonasa umbellus snow hole.jpg
Snow hole and wing tracks of a grouse as it burst out of the snow when approached

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Ruffed grouse frequently seek gravel and clover along roadbeds during early morning and late afternoon. These are good areas to walk during this time to flush birds. Also, grouse use sandy roadbeds to dust their feathers to rid themselves of skin pests. Dusting sites are visible as areas of disturbed soils with some signs of feathers. Birds may return to these spots during the late afternoon to bathe in dust and socialize and mate.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Behavior

Script error: No such module "Listen". Script error: No such module "Listen". The ruffed grouse differs from other grouse species in its courtship display. The ruffed grouse relies entirely on a nonvocal, acoustic display, known as drumming, unlike other grouse species. The drumming itself is a rapid, wing-beating display that creates a low-frequency sound, starting slow and speeding up (thump ... thump ... thump..thump-thump-thump-thump). Even in thick woods, this can be heard for a quarter-mile (400 m) or more.

The ruffed grouse spends most of its time quietly on the ground, and when surprised, may explode into flight, beating its wings very loudly. It will burrow into the snow for warmth in the winter and may suddenly burst out of the snow when approached too closely.

The male grouse proclaims his territory by engaging in a "drumming" display. This sound is made by beating his wings against the air to create a vacuum.[13] It usually stands on a log, stone, or mound of soil when drumming. It does not strike the log to make the noise, it only uses the "drumming log" as a sort of stage.[14]

The ruffed grouse population has a cycle, and follows the cycle no matter how much or how little hunting occurs. The cycle has puzzled scientists for years, and is simply referred to as the "grouse cycle".[15][16][17][18][19][20][21] In spite of this historical cycle, populations have been declining in Pennsylvania and management plans adopted.[22][23] Habitat loss has been a concern for the species,[24][25][26] but the introduction of the West Nile virus has been seen to be further increasing mortality.[22][23][27][28][29][25]

See also

References

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Further reading

External links

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Template:North American Game Template:Pangalliformes Template:Subject bar Template:Taxonbar Template:Authority control

  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Stephens
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named JohnsonSmith2009
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named FishFur
  8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Jezioro
  9. ↑ Template:Cite report
  10. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Cornell
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  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named DNRMN_cycle
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  22. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  28. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  29. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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