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Two species of grouse inhabit the Algonquin Highlands. The Spruce Grouse, found mainly in spruce bogs, and the Ruffed Grouse, which is much more widespread. This species inhabits hardwood forests of Sugar Maple, Beech, and Yellow Birch. Both species remain all year round. In the winter months, the Ruffed Grouse eats mostly tree buds from deciduous trees. Their summer diet consists of insects, seeds, fruits, and the occasional snake or frog.
The Ruffed Grouse is brown or gray-brown, resembling a chicken. They have fan-shaped, black banded tails, barred flanks, and black patches on the sides of the neck. Females make soft, hen-like clucks. In the summer, males make a drumming sound, starting of slowly, and rapidly increasing. Beating the air with their wings produces this rolling sound.
The Ruffed Grouse will lay 9 to 13 pinkish-cream eggs, plain or spotted dull brown, in a shallow depression lined with leaves. The nest in concealed under a bush. Young grouse can follow their mother shortly after hatching, and are highly developed compared to other birds. Females are very watchful of the young, always keeping a sharp lookout for approaching danger.
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RUFFED GROUSE
Bonasa umbellus
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