Ruffed Grouse

Question 1

Ruffed grouse Color combos (2)

Answer 1

Red and brown morph

Question 2

Ruffed grouse - How to tell male and females apart?

Answer 2

Male - Two dots on tail feathers; Female – one dot

Question 3

Ruffed grouse - home range size?

Answer 3

10-20 acres

Question 4

Ruffed grouse - When does drumming occur?

Answer 4

April – May to establish territory but will drum year round; prefer top of hills to be heard farther away

Question 5

Ruffed grouse - population cycles

Answer 5

9-11 year

Question 6

Ruffed grouse - Habitat needs (4 types for 4 life stages)

Answer 6

Drumming - high small tree density + high ground layer visibility
Nesting - variable
Brooding - open areas with dense ground cover; stands 5-20 y.o.; wetland habitats (alder)
Foraging - stands older than 25 years (aspen for food)

Question 7

4 things LOs can do to improve forest

Answer 7

1. plant trees or fruiting shrubs (highbush cran)
2. create feathered edge (diversity over space)
3. Make a messy forest (thin forest to create open areas for new growth - non-uniform is best. Leave DWB or pile in brush piles (small mammals, foxes, bobcat use for hiding), birds eat insects on wood, once decayed will be home for amphibians
4. put up nest boxes to mimic snags (barred and screech owls will use)

Question 8

Spruce grouse habitat needs (general)

Answer 8

Sharp needle conifers (balsam, jack pine, spruce) tightly growing