ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 14 inches

• Sexes similar

• Medium-sized, stocky, round-winged, chicken-like bird

• Crest at top of head

• Blacish ruffs on sides of neck

• Head, neck, and back brown or gray

• Breast whitish with brown and black bars and chevrons

• Long, squarish tail

• Tail brown or gray with narrow black and pale bars and broad black-             ish subterminal band

Similar species:

Sharp-tailed grouse is more white and tan than brown or gray and has a

long, pointed tail with white outer tail feathers. Spruce and blue grouse

are darker and lack the black subterminal tail band.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Permanent resident
Breeding Habitat: Woodland
Nest Location: N/A
Nest Type: N/A
Clutch Size: 9-12
Length of Incubation: 23-24(21-28) days
Days to Fledge: 10-12
Number of Broods: 1
Diet: Almost exclusively plant matter; lesser quantities of insects

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May U
      Su - Summer: June, July, August U
      Fall: September, October, November U

      Winter: December, January, February U

 

 

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