Overview
Ruffed Grouse are known for their drumming sounds made by beating their wings during spring which can be heard up to 1/2 miles away. They live in young deciduous and mixed forests where they stay in and defend their own small territory for their entire life. They are omnivores and generally feed on berries, buds, and insects. During the winter, they stay warm by diving into the snow and creating a warm, protected chamber. They are able to walk around in deep snow because their feet are shaped like snowshoes preventing them from sinking in.
Conservation
While Ruffed Grouse are common, they have been declining due to habitat changes and the loss of young, dense forests. With more mature forests, the closed canopy causes less growth underneath which they rely on for protection from predators like hawks and owls. In addition, the West Nile virus from mosquitoes has also been found to be a cause of death in many grouse.
