# Ruffed Grouse (*Bonasa umbellus*) The Ruffed Grouse is a fluffy bird that loves to hide in the woods. It can blend in with the leaves and is known for its special drumming sound during springtime to attract friends. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 12 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Ruffed Grouse](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Bonasa-umbellus-001edit1.jpg&width=800) Photo: Mdf Original uploader at en.wikipedia was Mad Tinman at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bonasa-umbellus-001edit1.jpg) ## Appearance The Ruffed Grouse has mottled brown, gray, and black feathers, allowing it to blend perfectly with forest environments. It features a distinct fan-shaped tail with a broad, dark band and a crest. Males display iridescent black neck feathers, called a ruff, which they can flair out. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Galliformes - **Family:** Phasianidae - **Genus:** Bonasa ## Interesting facts - A male grouse makes a drumming sound without hitting anything! - Baby grouse can fly a little just one week after hatching! - Sometimes, they eat so many aspen buds they actually smell like them! - They grow special comb-like fringes on their toes for better grip on snow! ## Special abilities - **Explosive Takeoff:** Ruffed Grouse can burst from cover with explosive speed because of powerful wing muscles, helping them escape predators instantly. - **Snow Burrower:** Ruffed Grouse can burrow into soft snow because of their instinctual behavior, helping them create a warm, insulating winter den. - **Drumming Display:** Ruffed Grouse has a unique "drumming" sound because males rapidly beat their wings, helping them attract mates and define territory. - **Winter Snowshoes:** Ruffed Grouse has special comb-like fringes on their toes that help them walk on snow without sinking, like natural snowshoes. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 40-48 cm - **Wingspan:** 50-64 cm - **Weight:** 0.5-0.8 kg - **Lifespan:** 1-10 years - **Speed:** 72 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 9-12 - **Incubation:** 23-26 days ## Diet & Feeding An omnivore eating buds, twigs, leaves, berries, and insects from the forest floor. - **Age differences:** Chicks eat mostly insects for protein, while adults switch to more plant material like buds and twigs. - **Primary Foods:** Aspen buds, Birch catkins, Clover leaves, Wintergreen berries, Ants, Beetles - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Great Horned Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-horned-owl) (*Bubo virginianus*) — A silent predator, the owl hunts grouse, especially at night. - **Eaten by:** [Bobcat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bobcat) (*Lynx rufus*) — This wild cat stalks grouse in dense forest undergrowth. - **Eats:** [Quaking Aspen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/quaking-aspen) (*Populus tremuloides*) — Grouse depend heavily on aspen buds for winter survival. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Ruffed Grouse? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Ruffed Grouse? 40-48 cm ### What is Ruffed Grouse's wingspan? 50-64 cm ### How much does Ruffed Grouse weigh? 0.5-0.8 kg ### How long does Ruffed Grouse live? 1-10 years ### How fast can Ruffed Grouse move? 72 km/h ### What does Ruffed Grouse eat? An omnivore eating buds, twigs, leaves, berries, and insects from the forest floor. ### Where is Ruffed Grouse usually found? Forests ## Where to spot - [Algonquin Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/algonquin-provincial-park) — Ontario, CA · State Park - [Grundy Lake Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/grundy-lake-provincial-park) — Ontario, CA · State Park - [Sherburne Ranger Station Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sherburne-ranger-station-historic-district) — Montana, US · Historic District - [Grandma Lake Wetlands State Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/grandma-lake-wetlands-state-natural-area) — Wisconsin, US · State Park - [International Peace Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/international-peace-garden) — US · Botanical Garden - [Kettle Falls Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kettle-falls-historic-district) — Minnesota, US · Historic District [View all places to see Ruffed Grouse](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/ruffed-grouse) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Ruffed Grouse: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ruffed-grouse)