Ruffed Grouse

aka Grinch

Bonasa umbellus

An Eastern Ruffed Grouse
Photo courtesy of Tommy Green

The state bird of Pennsylvania, the Ruffed Grouse is found from the Appalachian Mountains westward across Canada and into Alaska.

The sexes are similar and both have ruffs on both sides of the neck. They also have a crest on to of the head, which often lies flat.

They are woodland birds, often showing a preference for Aspen woods. These omnivorous birds take leaves, insects, buds, seeds and anything else that comes their way.

Males attract females by drumming: beating their wings loudly, often while standing on a fallen log. The 10-14 eggs take 23 days to hatch and the male takes no part in raising the family. The young grouse are fully grown by 16 weeks.