Ruffed grouse

A forest grouse that feeds on buds, leaves and berries and uses dense cover.

Field guide

A forest grouse that feeds on buds, leaves and berries and uses dense cover.

Identification

Shared features

Fan-shaped tail with a dark terminal band; short crest and mottled brown or gray plumage.

Male

The male often shows prominent dark neck ruffs when displaying and drums with his wings. Both sexes have a barred fan tail; tail pattern and size overlap, so a resting bird may be hard to sex.

Female

The female has the same brown or gray mottling and dark-banded tail, with usually smaller neck ruffs. A resting female can closely resemble a male; drumming is a stronger clue.

Habitat

Mixed and deciduous forest, young aspen, alder and brushy trails.

Where to look during the day

Morning

At dawn, watch quiet forest trails and young growth where birds forage.

Afternoon

In the afternoon, check dense understory and sheltered stands; tracks may be easier to find.

Evening

At dusk, listen and watch along forest edges and openings.

Sounds

Males drum with rapid wingbeats in spring; birds may cluck or flush with a loud wing burst.

Recorded calls

Ruffed grouse

Field recording of a ruffed grouse. A narrower call type or the caller's sex is not assigned to this clip.

Jonathon Jongsma · Recording source

Natural history source: Read the source

Bag limits

Bag and possession summaries.

-All grouse and grey partridge: bag limit of five per day, and a total possession limit of 15.

Daily: 5Possession: 15

Official bag-limit source