Bird
Ruffed Grouse
Bonasa umbellusAlso known as Partridge, Birch Partridge
Ruffed grouse are solitary woodland birds famed for the male's spring drumming display, a low-frequency sonic thrum produced by rapidly compressing air against his breast with cupped wings. In winter, they grow comb-like pectinations on their toes that function as snowshoes and often roost under deep powder snow to stay warm. Their intricately patterned plumage mimics forest floor leaf litter so seamlessly that they often burst into flight only when nearly stepped on.
Forest BirdNon-MigratoryCryptic
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyTrembling Aspen buds, Wintergreen berries, Forest insects
Predators
- Northern Goshawk
- Bobcat
- Great Horned Owl
ThreatsHabitat loss from forest maturation, West Nile virus, and climate shifts
HabitatsDeciduous and mixed forests, especially young aspen, birch, and alder thickets
Life span1–3 years (up to 8 years in the wild)
Classification
- OrderGalliformes
- FamilyPhasianidae
- GenusBonasa
- SpeciesBonasa umbellus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Listen carefully: Listen for deep, accelerating thumps resembling a distant lawnmower starting in spring woodlands.
- Watch your step: Walk slowly along overgrown logging roads, where grouse frequently forage for clover and grit.
- Give space: If a bird freezes or ruffs its neck feathers, pause quietly to avoid flushing it into a startled flight.
Predator (c) Kim, Hyun-tae, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kim, Hyun-tae · cc-by
Host Plant (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Mdf / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Same Family (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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