Appearance: The ruffed grouse is a medium-sized bird about 16-20″ long. They’re primarily brownish gray with a white chest/belly spotted with dark brown. They have a short crest, fanned out tail, short legs, and a short stubby beak. The females look the same.
Diet: Ruffed grouse are omnivores. They eat leaves, buds, fruits, shrubs and other vegetation. When in season, they’ll snack on fruit and acorns.
Feeder food: This bird is a ground forager that rarely visits a feeder.
Habitat: This bird prefers forested areas comprised of deciduous and coniferous trees as well as open clearings. They can commonly be found along streams.
Nesting: The ruffed grouse nest is placed on the ground and usually in a shallow depression. They have 9-14 pinky/buff eggs that are sometimes spotted brown. Incubation lasts 23-244 days. Chicks leave the nest after 24 hours as they can already move, walk, and feed themselves.
Migration: Ruffed grouse are not migrators. They remain in their year-round range all seasons of the year including Alaska, Canada, and northern U.S. states.
Range Map
