Ruffed Grouse

Inhabiting deciduous and mixed forests across Canada and the northern United States, the Ruffed Grouse is adapted to cold climates, with dense plumage and feathered legs that act as snowshoes in winter. They are non-migratory, relying on the diverse forest ecosystem for food and shelter throughout the year. The birds are ground dwellers, foraging for buds, leaves, berries, and insects, though they can take flight with rapid, powerful wingbeats when startled.

The diet of the Ruffed Grouse is notably varied, changing with the seasons. In the spring and summer, it includes a mix of green leaves, insects, and berries, shifting to buds and twigs of trees such as aspen and birch in the colder months. This adaptability in feeding habits helps the Ruffed Grouse survive in its forested environment, where food availability fluctuates.

Reproduction for the Ruffed Grouse begins in the spring, when males establish territories and perform their characteristic drumming to attract mates. Nests are simple depressions on the ground, usually at the base of a tree or bush, where the female lays a clutch of 8 to 14 eggs. She alone incubates the eggs and cares for the precocial chicks after they hatch.

The population of the Ruffed Grouse fluctuates naturally over a 10-year cycle, influenced by habitat conditions, predation, and disease. While not currently considered endangered, habitat loss and fragmentation pose significant threats to their numbers in some areas. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining and restoring forest habitats to support healthy populations of this iconic game bird.