Nature reflections August 12, 2004
LAND O' LAKES NewsWeb HomeContact Us
Ruffed GrouseWhere I grew up in New Brunswick the Ruffed Grouse was always referred to as a partridge and we knew it was good eating if you were lucky enough to get some in hunting season. Found right across Canada the Ruffed Grouse is a favourite target of hunters, and also preyed upon by foxes, lynx, the Northern Goshawk and the Great Horned Owl.
The nest, which is a shallow bowl on the ground usually near the base of a tree and lined with available materials or feathers from the mother, can be robbed by Raccoons, squirrels, skunks or crows. After mating a mother grouse will lay from nine to twelve eggs and incubate them herself about 21 days, only leaving the nest for brief periods in early morning or late evening to feed. If you approach a nest while the female is on it, she will probably not flush until you are almost stepping on her.
The female grouse is a model mother, assuming full care of the chicks, leading them away from the nest as soon as they are hatched, and teaching them to scratch, hunt for insects, and showing them berries and grasses that are good to eat, and where to find them. Until they are more developed she must keep them dry and warm, so she will keep them out of wet grasses and brood them at night. As they grow she will also show them how to have dust baths, which helps birds rid themselves of annoying insect pests. Her mother instinct is aroused when danger threatens, and she may give a shrill cry, bristle with rage and rush toward the enemy with tail spread and feathers extended, thereby striking an imposing figure that may cause the intruder to pause. Other times while giving the same whining cry which is a signal for the young to hide, she may feign injury to distract the enemy from the immobile young. Half grown chicks able to fly are warned to fly by a cluck and will quickly disappear among the vegetation or leaves of a tree.
Occasionally a grouse will show abnormal tameness, and I have a friend who has a grouse that responds when he is riding the trail on his four wheeler. This has been happening for three to four years, and the grouse has become progressively tamer, and will eat from his hand. Conversely, a grouse may show aggression, and once people in a car driving behind us told us of a grouse which made a determined attack at the rear tires of our car.
It is a delight in spring to hear the drumming of the male, described by some as a throbbing put-put-put-put-purrrr sound, much like that of a distant motorboat. A displaying male is a beautiful sight with his raised ruff, spread tail, and energetic beating of his wings, though once he realizes you are there he will probably disappear.
Over the past month I have seen a mother grouse and her brood of chicks in four different areas - and each brood slightly different in numbers and the sizes of the young. This would indicate that the species did not find last winter too harsh and predation has not been high, but in spite of the mothers protective instincts many of this years young will not survive until spring because of parasites, disease, predation, and winter.
Observations: Helm, Oconto, says the mushroom he found on Aug 4, Lactarius indigo, was delicious. Share what you have found - call Jean at 268-2518, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
