Ruffed grouse

Scientific name: Bonasa umbellus

How weight is recorded: Whole weight

Field notes

Appearance

Both sexes display cryptic brown or grey plumage with heavy barring, a distinctive neck ruff (enlarged feathers on neck sides), and a fanned tail with a dark subterminal band. Males are noticeably larger and darker than females; colour morphs range from rufous to grey.

Size and weight

Males: 450–680 g, 43–50 cm length. Females: 340–570 g, 40–47 cm length.

Habitat

Ruffed grouse inhabit deciduous and mixed forests with dense understory cover, including aspen, birch, and conifer stands. They favour areas with regenerating saplings, brushy edges, and rocky outcrops, typically at elevations from sea level to 2,000 m.

Distribution

Ranges across northern and eastern North America from the boreal forest south through the Appalachians and Great Lakes region. Concentrated in areas with early successional and mixed-aged forest.

Diet

Ruffed grouse consume buds, catkins, and leaves of aspen and birch in winter; insects, berries, seeds, and green vegetation in spring and summer; acorns and seeds in autumn.

Behaviour

Primarily diurnal and crepuscular, they forage on the ground and roost in trees. Solitary or in small groups outside breeding season; males are territorial and highly vocal in spring.

Hunting tips

Look for droppings clustered near feeding sites (aspen and birch), dust baths in sandy soil, and scratched leaf litter. Walk slowly through dense cover and forest edges at dawn or dusk; flush birds from beneath and low branches by driving through cover methodically. Use a pointing dog to locate birds; approach flushed birds cautiously as they may hold tight nearby.

Whole weight

This species is logged by whole weight — the animal weighed entire, as taken.

Where it is hunted

Listed as huntable in 2 countries in Huntify.

Names in other languages

These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.