Identification: The ruffed grouse is a medium-sized, fowl-like
game bird best known for its courtship displays and thunderous takeoffs. They are
distinguished by the dark ruff-like feathers on their neck region. Their broad tail is
marked with a prominent dark band near the end. Ruffed grouse exhibit two color phases,
reddish brown and grayish brown. This difference in color is most evident in their tails.
Gray-phased birds predominate in the northern areas of its range, while red-phased birds
predominate to the south. In Connecticut, both color phases are common.
Range: Widespread, these birds range from the woods of Alaska and northern
Canada south to the mountains of Georgia and California. The ruffed grouse is
non-migratory, spending its entire life within a small area.
Reproduction: The breeding season in Connecticut begins in April. Males begin
drumming, sound created by beating the air with their wings, to advertise their presence
to females. Other males are also alerted, and during this time considerable strutting and
fighting may occur to determine who will breed with the females.
After breeding, the female is left to nest and raise the young on her own. The nest of
the grouse is a slight depression scratched out at the base of a tree or rock, or
alongside an old log. The nest is usually lined with dry grass, leaves, pine needles or
other materials available near the nest site. The female lays about two eggs every one day. After all the eggs (9-14) are laid, she begins incubation, usually a period of 23-24
days that may be lengthened by cold or wet weather or prolonged absences from the nest.
The natural camouflage of the hen's coloration and nest makes it almost impossible to spot
her while she is nesting. If the nest is destroyed during early incubation, the hen will
usually renest. Renests are rare if the nest is destroyed late in the incubation process.
Within a few hours of hatching, the grouse chicks are able to run and scurry about and
they can fly at 10-12 days. By six weeks of age, the young have well developed plumage and
resemble the adult in color. The average brood size by fall is about five birds. Young
chicks are very sensitive to dampness, and a period of rain in late May or early June may
affect brood survival.
Newly hatched chicks depend upon insects almost entirely as a food source. Fruits and
berries become important in the summer, and grouse feed heavily on acorns in the fall.
During the winter months, they will feed primarily on catkins, twigs, and buds.
History in Connecticut: Ruffed grouse have been longtime residents of
Connecticut. They were native along with the wild turkey and bobwhite quail. The
agriculture that was once intensive in Connecticut is now largely abandoned and farmland
reverting to forests provides excellent habitat for grouse. As these forests mature,
however, their value to grouse decreases. Without forest management practices that create
early successional forest, grouse habitat would decline.
Ruffed grouse populations fluctuate in abundance throughout their range. These
fluctuations are most noticeable in a particular area. A piece of habitat may be full of
grouse one year, and virtually empty the next. Beyond the fluctuations observed in
localized areas, grouse populations tend to fluctuate on a region-wide basis. An eight to
ten year cycle has long been referenced in grouse population studies. But the explanation
for this cycle is still unknown.
Interesting Facts: Ruffed grouse have several common names including: partridge,
ruffled grouse, drummer, woodpile guawkie, and woods pheasant.
In the early fall, many grouse exhibit a dispersal behavior commonly referred to as
"crazy flight". At this time of year, grouse are often sighted in unusual
habitats or are victims of collisions with trees, cars, houses, etc. This strong urge to
disperse is largely exhibited by young birds, whereas adults tend to remain within the
previous year's home range.
Evergreen trees are an important source of winter cover for grouse in Connecticut. But
during periods of heavy powdery snow, grouse will use snow roosts for cover.
Many animals prey upon grouse. Foxes, bobcat, coyotes, bird-eating hawks and falcons,
among others, will take grouse. Ruffed grouse are also an important game bird. Grouse rely
on their cryptic color and remain still to avoid detection when predators are about. If
sufficiently frightened, they will thunder into the air to escape, although they are
capable of near silent flight. When with young, hens will attempt to lead potential
predators away by feigning a broken wing.
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