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Wildlife
- Birds - |
Ruffed Grouse
(Bonasa umbellus) Y |
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RANGE: Resident from central Alaska and northern Yukon to
southern Labrador south to northwestern California, central and
eastern Idaho, central Utah, Wyoming and Montana, central and
southeastern Minnesota, Ohio, in the Appalachian Mountains to
northern Georgia and northeastern Virginia; locally to western
South Dakota; introduced and established in Iowa and
Newfoundland.
STATUS: Fairly common; population fluctuates.
HABITAT: Inhabits successional to subclimax hardwood forests
larger than 10 acres that have Betula or Populus present and an
understory of small hardwoods, shrubs, and fruit-producing
bushes (early successional stages of plant growth on logged-over
areas are ideal). Male uses logs, rocks, or other elevated sites
for drumming in spring. Frequents hedgerows and brushy patches
in early fall; moves into more heavily wooded areas, especially
coniferous cover in winter. Roosts in snow when snow is deep and
soft, or may roost in trees or on the ground.
SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Hardwood forests with some
conifers, dense undergrowth, openings, and drumming sites for
males. Strongest nesting habitat association in
streamside wetland and shrubland and red alder woodland.
NEST: Nests on dry ground in the shelter of a fallen log, rock,
root, or low-hanging conifer limb, usually near the base of a
tree. Commonly nests within 100 feet of a road, path, or
clearing, and close to a source of water.
FOOD: During winter, feeds primarily on aspen buds, but also on
buds of birch, alder, and hazel. In other seasons, consumes an
extremely varied diet, including over 600 species of plants
(seeds, fruits, leaves, and buds), insects, and other animals,
although animal food is only predominate in the diet the first 2
weeks after hatching.
REFERENCES: Adamus et al. 2001, Boag and Sumanik 1969, Bump et
al. 1947, DeGraff et al. 1980, Johnsgard 1973, Miller 1999, Rue
1973, Shunk 2004. |
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