Scientific & Common Name(s)
Bonasa umbellus are commonly known as the ruffed grouse (Aldrich, 1963; Environment Canada, 2014; Small, Holzwart, & Rusch, 1991). Ruffed grouse can be further divided into 13 different races based upon their preferred habitat conditions and geographic location (Aldrich, 1963).
Habitat & Geographic Range
Ruffed grouse can be found across most of Canada and the Eastern and North-western United States (Aldrich, 1963). Their northern extent is limited, however they inhabit the southwestern portion of the Northwest Territories, through Yukon, and into Alaska (Aldrich, 1963).
Due to their extended range, ruffed grouse can survive in many different habitats. The conditions of their habitats mainly vary in moisture content and forest type (e.g. deciduous, coniferous, boreal, etc.; Aldrich, 1963). Ruffed grouse, however, prefer to live in regions with younger forests and many smaller shrubs for protection (Dessecker & McAuley, 2001).
Size/Weight & Lifespan
Ruffed grouse typically measure 40-50 cm in length, and weigh between 450 and 750 grams (The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, n.d.). Ruffed grouse can live six to eight years, however most birds typically only live to be two years old (Crawford, 1986).
Diet
Ruffed grouse are foraging birds whose food resources vary throughout the year. Aspen trees provide the majority of their food throughout the winter season, however they will feed on parts of other trees and plants if aspen are not present (Devers et al., 2007). Ruffed grouse will also eat nuts and fruit from a variety of trees and vines during the summer months, including oak, cherry, and grape (Devers et al., 2007).
Reproduction & Communication
During the mating season, male ruffed grouse will “drum” a log in order to attract receptive females (Gullion, 1966; Thompson III, Freiling, & Fritzell, 1987). Peak periods of drumming activity occur from the end of April to the beginning of May (Gullion, 1966). Once male courtship and mating have completed, females are left to care for and protect the nest (Devers et al., 2007). The laying of eggs by female ruffed grouse occurs at a similar time of year (Devers et al., 2007). Nesting typically occurs in or near shrubs and trees to help reduce predation (Thompson III et al., 1987). Females may lay anywhere from nine to over 12 eggs in a single clutch, which typically hatch after approximately three weeks of incubation (Devers et al., 2007).
In order to communicate with other grouse, females may hiss or use squealing calls to communicate with other birds or a hum with their chicks (The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, n.d.). In addition to drumming, males may hiss or whine when in the presence of another bird, regardless of whether the other bird is male or female (The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, n.d.).
Predation: Does the animal have any predators?
Ruffed grouse are subject to predation by foxes, raptors, including great horned owls and Northern Goshawks, and also by humans (Crawford, 1986; Small et al., 1991). Ruffed grouse can be actively hunted across most of its geographic range (Dessecker & McAuley, 2001; Devers et al., 2007).
Conservation Status
Canada is home to more than 80% of the worldwide population of ruffed grouse (Environment Canada, 2014). As such, Wildspecies Canada has identified that ruffed grouse are a secure species in our country (Environment Canada, 2014). On the global scale, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has identified the ruffed grouse as a species of least concern (BirdLife International, 2012; Environment Canada, 2014).
Did you know?
Ruffed grouse are clumsy. When scared, they may take flight and fly into trees, buildings, or other structures (Ruffed Grouse Society, n.d.).
Literature Cited
Aldrich, J. W. (1963). Geographic Orientation of American Tetraonidae. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 27(4), 528. http://doi.org/10.2307/3798463
BirdLife International. (2012). Bonasa umbellus (Ruffed Grouse). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012: e.T22679500A40100067. Retrieved October 21, 2016, from http://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T22679500A40100067.en
Crawford, J. A. (1986). Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus): Section 4.1.1, US Army Corps of Engineers Wildlife Resources Management Manual Technical Report EL-86-4. Vicksburg, Mississipi. Retrieved October 22, 2016, from http://www.tennessee.gov/assets/entities/twra/attachments/grouse.pdf
Dessecker, D. R., & McAuley, D. G. (2001). Importance of early successional habitat to ruffed grouse and American woodcock. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 29(2), 456–465.
Devers, P. K., Stauffer, D. F., Norman, G. W., Steffen, D. E., Whitaker, D. M., Sole, J. D., … Tefft, B. C. (2007). Ruffed Grouse Population Ecology in the Appalachian Region. Wildlife Monographs, 1–36. Retrieved October 22, 2016, from http://resolver.scholarsportal.info/resolve/00840173/v2007inone/1_rgpeitar.xml
Environment Canada. (2014). Ruffed Grouse. Retrieved October 21, 2016, from http://ec.gc.ca/soc-sbc/oiseau-bird-eng.aspx?sY=2014&sL=e&sM=c&sB=RUGR
Gullion, G. W. (1966). The Use of Drumming Behavior in Ruffed Grouse Population Studies. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 30(4), 717. http://doi.org/10.2307/3798278
Ruffed Grouse Society. (n.d.). Grouse Facts. Retrieved October 22, 2016, from http://www.ruffedgrousesociety.org/grouse-facts#.WAw0yOArLIU
Small, R. J., Holzwart, J. C., & Rusch, D. H. (1991). Predation and Hunting Mortality of Ruffed Grouse in Central Wisconsin. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 55(3), 512. http://doi.org/10.2307/3808983
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. (n.d.). Ruffed Grouse, Life History, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Retrieved October 22, 2016, from https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ruffed_Grouse/lifehistory
Thompson III, F. R., Freiling, D. A., & Fritzell, E. K. (1987). Drumming, Nesting, and Brood Habitats of Ruffed Grouse in an Oak-Hickory Forest. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 51(3), 568. http://doi.org/10.2307/3801270
