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| name = Ruffed grouse
| name = Ruffed grouse
| fossil_range = {{Fossil range|Pleistocene|present}}
| fossil_range = {{Fossil range|Pleistocene|present}}
| image = Bonasa-umbellus-001edit1.jpg
| image = Ruffed Grouse (18645551408).jpg
| image2 = Bonasa-umbellus-001edit1.jpg
| image_caption = Female ruffed grouse in [[Algonquin Provincial Park]]
| image2_caption = A displaying male at [[Seney National Wildlife Refuge]], Michigan, and a female at [[Algonquin Provincial Park]] in Ontario
| status = LC
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2018 |title=''Bonasa umbellus'' |volume=2018 |page=e.T22679500A131905854 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22679500A131905854.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
| status_ref = <ref name=IUCN/>
| genus = Bonasa
| genus = Bonasa
| parent_authority = [[James Francis Stephens|Stephens]], 1819
| parent_authority = [[James Francis Stephens|Stephens]], 1819
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| synonyms = *''Tetrao umbellus'' {{small|Linnaeus,&nbsp;1766}}
| synonyms = *''Tetrao umbellus'' {{small|Linnaeus,&nbsp;1766}}
| range_map = Bonasa umbellus map.svg
| range_map = Bonasa umbellus map.svg
| range_map_caption = {{leftlegend|#7234c9|&nbsp;resident range|outline=gray}}
}}
}}
[[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 [[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 [[bird migration|non-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 bird]] of [[Pennsylvania]], United States.
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>


==Taxonomy==
==Taxonomy==
[[File:Brooklyn Museum - Ruffed Grouse - John J. Audubon.jpg|thumb|''Ruffed Grouse'' by [[John J. Audubon]] c. 1861]]
[[File:Brooklyn Museum - Ruffed Grouse - John J. Audubon.jpg|thumb|''Ruffed Grouse'' by [[John J. Audubon]] c. 1861.]]
''Bonasa umbellus'' was first described by [[Carl Linnaeus]] in his 1766 [[12th edition of Systema Naturae|12th edition of ''Systema Naturae'']].<ref name=Linn/> 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.<ref name=Stephens/> 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),<ref name=JohnsonSmith2009/> pheasant, or prairie chicken, all of which are properly applied to other birds.<ref name=FishFur/> Other nicknames for ruffed grouse include drummer or thunder-chicken.<ref name=Jezioro/>
''Bonasa umbellus'' was first described by [[Carl Linnaeus]] in his 1766 [[12th edition of Systema Naturae|12th edition of ''Systema Naturae'']].<ref name=Linn/> 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.<ref name=Stephens/> 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),<ref name=JohnsonSmith2009/> pheasant, or prairie chicken, all of which are properly applied to other birds.<ref name=FishFur/> Other nicknames for ruffed grouse include drummer or thunder-chicken.<ref name=Jezioro/>


The ruffed grouse has 13 recognized subspecies:<ref>{{Cite report |title=IOC World Bird List 13.1 |url=https://www.worldbirdnames.org/ioc-lists/crossref |journal= |language=en |doi=10.14344/ioc.ml.13.1 |access-date=2023-03-18|doi-access=free }}</ref>
There are 14 recognized subspecies of ruffed grouse:<ref name=IOC/>

⚫
* ''B. u. yukonensis'' <small>[[Joseph Grinnell|Grinnell]], 1916</small>
* ''B. u. umbelloides'' <small>([[David Douglas (botanist)|Douglas]], 1829)</small>
* ''B. u. brunnescens'' (<small>[[Henry Boardman Conover|Conover]], 1935) - [[Vancouver Island]] ([[Canada]])</small>
* ''B. u. castanea'' (<small>[[John Warren Aldrich|Aldrich]] & [[Herbert Friedmann|Friedmann]], 1943) - [[Olympic Peninsula]] ([[United States|USA]])</small>
* ''B. u. labradorensis'' <small>Ouellet, 1991</small>
* ''B. u. castanea'' <small>[[John Warren Aldrich|Aldrich]] & [[Herbert Friedmann|Friedmann]], 1943</small>
* ''B. u. incana'' (<small>[[John Warren Aldrich|Aldrich]] & [[Herbert Friedmann|Friedmann]], 1943) - southeastern [[Idaho]] to central [[Utah]] ([[United States|USA]])</small>
* ''B. u. affinis'' <small>Aldrich & Friedmann, 1943</small>
* ''B. u. labradorensis'' (<small>Ouellet, 1991) - [[Labrador Peninsula]] ([[Canada]])</small>
* ''B. u. obscura'' <small>[[Walter Edmond Clyde Todd|Todd]], 1947</small>
* ''B. u. mediana'' (<small>[[W. E. Clyde Todd|Todd]], 1940) - north-central [[United States|USA]]</small>
* ''B. u. sabini'' <small>(Douglas, 1829)</small>
* ''B. u. monticola'' (<small>[[W. E. Clyde Todd|Todd]], 1940) - central towards east-central [[United States|USA]]</small>
* ''B. u. brunnescens'' <small>[[Henry Boardman Conover|Conover]], 1935</small>
* ''B. u. obscura'' <small>([[W. E. Clyde Todd|Todd]], 1947) - northern [[Ontario]] ([[Canada]])</small>
* ''B. u. phaios'' (<small>[[John Warren Aldrich|Aldrich]] & [[Herbert Friedmann|Friedmann]], 1943) - southeastern [[British Columbia]] ([[Canada]]) to south-central [[Idaho]] and eastern [[Oregon]] ([[United States|USA]])</small>
* ''B. u. togata'' <small>([[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1766)</small>
* ''B. u. mediana'' <small>Todd, 1940</small>
* ''B. u. sabini'' <small>([[David Douglas (botanist)|Douglas]], 1829) - western coast of [[Canada]] and [[United States|USA]]</small>
* ''B. u. phaios'' <small>Aldrich & Friedmann, 1943</small>
* ''B. u. togata'' <small>([[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1766) - north-central and northeastern [[United States|USA]] and southeastern [[Canada]]</small>
* ''B. u. umbelloides'' <small>([[David Douglas (botanist)|Douglas]], 1829) - southeastern [[Alaska]] ([[United States|USA]]) through central [[Canada]] to central [[Oregon]] and northwestern [[Wyoming]] ([[United States|USA]])</small>
* ''B. u. incana'' <small>Aldrich & Friedmann, 1943</small>
* ''B. u. monticola'' <small>Todd, 1940</small>
* ''B. u. umbellus'' <small>([[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1766) - east-central [[United States|USA]]</small>

* ''B. u. umbellus'' <small>([[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1766)</small>
⚫
* ''B. u. yukonensis'' <small>[[Joseph Grinnell|(Grinnell]], 1916) - [[Alaska]] ([[United States|USA]]) and northwestern [[Canada]]</small>


==Description==
==Description==
[[File:Ruffed Grouse (1).jpg|thumb|left|Grey morph]]
[[File:Ruffed Grouse (1).jpg|thumb|Grey morph.]]
These chunky, medium-sized birds 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/> Ruffed grouse 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, and 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, but 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.
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}}


[[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, while 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.
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}}


==Ecology==
==Ecology==
[[File:Bonasa umbellus MWNH 1111.JPG|left|thumb]]
[[File:Bonasa umbellus MWNH 1111.JPG|thumb|An egg.]]
[[File:Grouseeggsinnest.jpg|thumbnail|right|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. Like other forest creatures, the ruffed grouse will maintain trails through the [[underbrush]] and pines. These can often be found by looking for the feathers of the bird on the ground and on twigs at the edges of its trail. Hunting of the ruffed grouse requires a good ear and lots of stamina as you will be constantly walking and listening for them in the leaves.|author=Joseph B. Barney {{citation needed|date=December 2012}}}}
{{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 road beds 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 to socialize and mate.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}}
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}}

Minnesota is the top ruffed grouse–producing state in the U.S.<ref>[http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/grouse/index.html Grouse hunting: Minnesota DNR]. Dnr.state.mn.us. Retrieved on 2013-03-10.</ref>{{failed verification|date=March 2014}}


==Behavior==
==Behavior==
{{Listen
⚫
The ruffed grouse differs from other grouse species in its [[courtship display]]. Unlike other grouse species, the ruffed grouse relies entirely on a non-vocal acoustic display, known as drumming. 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.
| filename = Yellowstone sound library - Ruffed Grouse - 001.mp3
| title = Drumming sound, Yellowstone
}}
{{Listen
{{Listen
| filename = Bonasa-umbellus.20100830.ogg
| filename = Bonasa-umbellus.20100830.ogg
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| description =
| description =
}}
}}
⚫
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 spends most of its time quietly on the ground, and when surprised, may explode into flight, beating their wings very loudly. In the winter, they will burrow into the snow for warmth, 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. 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 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}}</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}}</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}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://birdsna.org/Species-Account/bna/species/rufgro/introduction|title=Ruffed Grouse - Introduction {{!}} Birds of North America Online|website=birdsna.org|language=en|access-date=2018-06-21}}</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|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 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 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}}</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}}</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}}</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}}</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==
*[[list of U.S. state birds|State birds]]
* [[Sage grouse]]
* [[Sage grouse]]
*[[Upland hunting]]


{{Portal|Pennsylvania}}
{{Portal|Pennsylvania}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2|refs=
{{Reflist|30em|refs=

<ref name=IUCN>{{cite iucn|url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22679500/0 |title=''Bonasa umbellus'' |author=BirdLife International |author-link=BirdLife International |year=2012 |access-date=26 November 2013}}</ref>
<ref name=ADW>{{cite web |author=Haupt, J. |date=2001 |url=http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Bonasa_umbellus.html |title=''Bonasa umbellus'' |website=Animal Diversity Web|access-date=10 March 2014}}</ref>
<ref name=ADW>{{cite web |author=Haupt, J. |date=2001 |url=http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Bonasa_umbellus.html |title=''Bonasa umbellus'' |website=Animal Diversity Web|access-date=10 March 2014}}</ref>
<ref name=IOC>{{Cite journal |url = http://www.worldbirdnames.org/bow/pheasants/ |website=worldbirdnames.org |title = IOC World Bird List |publisher = International Ornithologists Union Committee on Nomenclature |editor1=Gill, F. |editor2=Donsker, D. |year=2015 |doi=10.14344/IOC.ML.5.3 |access-date=11 October 2015}}</ref>
<!-- unused <ref name=IOC>{{Cite journal |url = http://www.worldbirdnames.org/bow/pheasants/ |website=worldbirdnames.org |title = IOC World Bird List |publisher = International Ornithologists Union Committee on Nomenclature |editor1=Gill, F. |editor2=Donsker, D. |year=2015 |doi=10.14344/IOC.ML.5.3 |access-date=11 October 2015}}</ref> -->
<ref name=Linn>Linnaeus, C. (1766). ''Systema Naturae''.</ref>
<ref name=Linn>Linnaeus, C. (1766). ''Systema Naturae''.</ref>
<ref name=Stephens>{{cite book |author=Stephens, J. F. |year=1819 |title=General Zoology, Vol. XI, Pt. II: Aves |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/36848517 |page=298|publisher=Printed for G. Kearsley }}</ref>
<ref name=Stephens>{{cite book |author=Stephens, J. F. |year=1819 |title=General Zoology, Vol. XI, Pt. II: Aves |volume=11 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/36848517 |page=298|publisher=Printed for G. Kearsley }}</ref>
<ref name=JohnsonSmith2009>{{cite book|author1=Johnson, Chuck|author2=Smith, Jason A. |title=Wingshooter's Guide to North Dakota: Upland Birds and Waterfowl |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cSGyIS71JBQC&pg=PA31 |year=2009 |publisher=Wilderness Adventures Press |isbn=978-1-932098-70-9 |page=31}}</ref>
<ref name=JohnsonSmith2009>{{cite book|author1=Johnson, Chuck|author2=Smith, Jason A. |title=Wingshooter's Guide to North Dakota: Upland Birds and Waterfowl |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cSGyIS71JBQC&pg=PA31 |year=2009 |publisher=Wilderness Adventures Press |isbn=978-1-932098-70-9 |page=31}}</ref>
<ref name=FishFur>{{cite book|title=Fish, Fur & Feathers: Fish and Wildlife Conservation in Alberta 1905-2005|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FILek0eGahUC&pg=PT244|year=2005|publisher=Fish and Wildlife Historical Society and Federation of Alberta Naturalists|isbn=978-0-9696134-7-3|page=244}}</ref>
<ref name=FishFur>{{cite book|title=Fish, Fur & Feathers: Fish and Wildlife Conservation in Alberta 1905-2005|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FILek0eGahUC&pg=PT244|year=2005|publisher=Fish and Wildlife Historical Society and Federation of Alberta Naturalists|isbn=978-0-9696134-7-3|page=244}}</ref>
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{{North American Game}}
{{North American Game}}
{{Pangalliformes|Pha.|state=collapsed}}
{{Taxonbar |from=Q19058}}
{{Taxonbar |from=Q19058}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Tetraoninae]]
[[Category:Tetraonini]]
[[Category:Symbols of Pennsylvania|Grouse, Ruffed]]
[[Category:Symbols of Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Birds of the United States|Grouse, Ruffed]]
[[Category:Birds of the United States]]
[[Category:Birds of Canada|Grouse, Ruffed]]
[[Category:Birds of Canada]]
[[Category:Birds described in 1766]]
[[Category:Birds described in 1766]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus]]

Latest revision as of 12:06, 31 December 2023

Ruffed grouse
Temporal range: Pleistocene–present
↓
A displaying male at Seney National Wildlife Refuge, Michigan, and a female at Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Galliformes
Family: Phasianidae
Tribe: Tetraonini
Genus: Bonasa
Stephens, 1819
Species:
B. umbellus
Binomial name
Bonasa umbellus
   resident range
Synonyms
  • Tetrao umbellus Linnaeus, 1766
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.[2] It is non-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.[3]

The ruffed grouse is the state game bird of Pennsylvania, United States.[4]

Taxonomy

[edit]
Ruffed Grouse by John J. Audubon c. 1861.

Bonasa umbellus was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1766 12th edition of Systema Naturae.[5] 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.[6] 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),[7] pheasant, or prairie chicken, all of which are properly applied to other birds.[8] Other nicknames for ruffed grouse include drummer or thunder-chicken.[9]

The ruffed grouse has 13 recognized subspecies:[10]

Description

[edit]
Grey morph.

Ruffed grouse are chunky, medium-sized birds that weigh from 450–750 g (0.99–1.65 lb), measure from 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20 in) in length and span 50–64 cm (20–25 in) across their short, strong wings.[11] 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. 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]

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]

The average life span of a ruffed grouse is one year, although some birds are thought to live for as long as eleven years.[12][13] Ruffed grouse are polygynous, and males may mate with several females during the breeding season.[citation needed]

Ecology

[edit]
An egg.
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:

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.[14]

Hunting

[edit]
Snow hole and wing tracks of a grouse as it burst out of the snow when approached.

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 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.[15]

— 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]

Behavior

[edit]
Drumming sound, Yellowstone
Problems playing this file? See media help.
Ruffed grouse call
Problems playing this file? See media help.

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 ... thump ... thump..thump-thump-thump-thump). Even in thick woods, this can be heard for .25 miles (0.40 km) 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 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.[16] 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.[17]

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".[18][19][20][21][22][23][24] In spite of this historical cycle, populations have been declining in Pennsylvania and management plans adopted.[25][26] Habitat loss has been a concern for the species,[27][28][29] but the introduction of the West Nile virus has been seen to be further increasing mortality.[25][26][30][31][32][28]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ BirdLife International (2018). "Bonasa umbellus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T22679500A131905854. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22679500A131905854.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Grouse Facts".
  3. ^ Haupt, J. (2001). "Bonasa umbellus". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  4. ^ "1931 Act 234". Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  5. ^ Linnaeus, C. (1766). Systema Naturae.
  6. ^ Stephens, J. F. (1819). General Zoology, Vol. XI, Pt. II: Aves. Vol. 11. Printed for G. Kearsley. p. 298.
  7. ^ Johnson, Chuck; Smith, Jason A. (2009). Wingshooter's Guide to North Dakota: Upland Birds and Waterfowl. Wilderness Adventures Press. p. 31. ISBN 978-1-932098-70-9.
  8. ^ Fish, Fur & Feathers: Fish and Wildlife Conservation in Alberta 1905-2005. Fish and Wildlife Historical Society and Federation of Alberta Naturalists. 2005. p. 244. ISBN 978-0-9696134-7-3.
  9. ^ Jezioro, Frank. "January and Grouse Hunting Go Together". West Virginia Dept of Commerce. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  10. ^ IOC World Bird List 13.1 (Report). doi:10.14344/ioc.ml.13.1. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  11. ^ "Ruffed Grouse – Life History". Allaboutbirds.org. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  12. ^ "Biology of the Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus)".
  13. ^ "Ruffed Grouse Facts, Habitat, Diet, Life Cycle, Baby, Pictures". March 2016.
  14. ^ Johnson, Don L. (1995). Grouse & Woodcock: A Gunner's Guide. Krause Publications. p. 37. ISBN 978-0-87341-346-6.
  15. ^ "Ruffed Grouse". Beauty of Birds. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  16. ^ Michael Furtman, Michael (2004). Ruffed Grouse: Woodland Drummer. Stackpole Books. p. 88. ISBN 9780811731225. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  17. ^ "Grouse Facts". The Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  18. ^ Furtman, Michael (September–October 2010). "Ups and Downs in the Grouse Woods". Minnesota Conservation Volunteer. Archived from the original on 2013-10-17. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  19. ^ "A Firm Stand for the Quaking Aspen". Vault. Retrieved 2018-06-21.
  20. ^ "New Hampshire Ruffed Grouse Assessment 2015" (PDF).
  21. ^ "Grouse cycle nearing 10-year peak". PostBulletin.com. Retrieved 2018-06-21.
  22. ^ "Ruffed Grouse - Introduction | Birds of North America Online". birdsna.org. doi:10.2173/bow.rufgro.01. S2CID 216329949. Retrieved 2018-06-21.
  23. ^ "Ruffed Grouse Facts, Habitat, Diet, Life Cycle, Baby, Pictures". www.animalspot.net. March 2016. Retrieved 2018-06-21.
  24. ^ "RGS History 1960's". www.ruffedgrousesociety.org. Retrieved 2018-06-21.
  25. ^ a b "Pennsylvania 2016 Grouse and Woodcock Status Report" (PDF). p. 7.
  26. ^ a b "Ruffed Grouse". Wildlife Species. Retrieved 2018-06-21.
  27. ^ "Grouse in the Balance" (PDF).
  28. ^ a b "PA Game Commission giving special management attention to ruffed grouse". centredaily. Retrieved 2018-06-21.
  29. ^ "Grouse research leaves unanswered questions about Pennsylvania's state bird | Penn State University". Retrieved 2018-06-21.
  30. ^ Stauffer, Glenn E.; Miller, David A.W.; Williams, Lisa M.; Brown, Justin (2017-09-20). "Ruffed grouse population declines after introduction of West Nile virus". The Journal of Wildlife Management. 82 (1): 165–172. doi:10.1002/jwmg.21347. ISSN 0022-541X.
  31. ^ "West Nile Virus PA Game Commission Research Summary" (PDF).
  32. ^ "Susceptibility of Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) to West Nile Virus" (PDF).

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ruffed grouse.
Wikispecies has information related to Bonasa umbellus.
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