Ruffed grouse Bonasa umbellus

Identification Tips:

• Length: 14 inches
• Sexes similar
• Medium-sized, stocky, round-winged, chicken-like bird
• Crest at top of head
• Blacish ruffs on sides of neck
• Head, neck, and back brown or gray
• Breast whitish with brown and black bars and chevrons
• Long, squarish tail
• Tail brown or gray with narrow black and pale bars and broad blackish subterminal band

Similar species:

Sharp-tailed Grouse is more white and tan than brown or gray and has a long, pointed tail with white outer tail feathers. Spruce and Blue Grouse are darker and lack the black subterminal tail band.

Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.