Ruffed Grouse

The Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) is a medium-sized grouse occurring in forests from the Appalachian Mountains across Canada to Alaska. It is non-migratory.

The Ruffed Grouse is frequently referred to as the "partridge". The Ruffed Grouse is also sometimes called a "grinch" in parts of rural Kentucky and Ohio, likely due to its spectral quality in the woods.

Like most grouse, they spend most of their time on the ground, and when surprised, may explode into flight, beating their wings very loudly. 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.

Males attract females by drumming, beating their wings loudly, often while on a fallen log. The peak of the mating season is late April. Nests are placed on the ground, usually in dense forest in a depression next to a tree trunk or stump. Hens lay about 10 to 14 eggs that hatch in 23 days. The male grouse has no parenting role. The chicks stay with the hen until late September and are fully grown in 16 weeks.

Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruffed_Grouse - 09.10.2010