Ruffed Grouse

The ruffed grouse 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. It is non-migratory. It is the only species in the genus Bonasa. Ruffed Grouse are not often physically aggressive (most birds aren't because of the risk of self injury) but are typically very territorial, especially during the nesting season. We often hear of grouse that are following people around, sometime even riding on snowmobiles, tractors, or trucks. The average life span of a ruffed grouse is one year, although some birds are thought to live for as long as eleven years. Ruffed grouse are polygynous, and males may mate with several females during the breeding season. The Ruffed Grouse is a ground nesting bird. The female lays one egg per day, until her clutch is complete. The average clutch is about 11 eggs. The female sits on the eggs, in the nest, until the eggs hatch, after 23 to 26 days.

Scientific name: Bonasa umbellus

Conservation status: Least Concern (Population decreasing)

Mass: 1.2 lbs (Adult)

Length: 16-19'

Family: Phasianidae

Kingdom: Animalia

Order: Galliformes