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Quick answer
The ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) is a North American forest grouse famous for drumming its wings to claim territory. Adults weigh about 0.6 kg, eat buds and catkins, and are listed Least Concern across Canadian and US woodlands.
Top questions about the Ruffed Grouse
Ruffed Grouse facts at a glance
- Weight 600 g
- Length 43 cm
- Top speed 40 km/h
- Lifespan 8 years
| Scientific name | Bonasa umbellus |
|---|---|
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Habitat | Deciduous and mixed forests |
| Lifespan | 8–10 years |
| Weight | 0.5–0.7 kg |
| Top speed | up to 40 km/h |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae |
| Genus | Bonasa |
Where it lives
The ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) is native to Forests across Canada and the northern United States. — recorded across North America in this guide’s range summary.
For occurrence records, see GBIF species search and sources below.
How big is a ruffed grouse?
An adult ruffed grouse measures 43 cm long — about 25% of the height of an average adult person (1.73 m) — and weighs around 600 g, about 1% of an average adult’s body weight (70 kg).
Length vs an average adult’s height (to scale)
What is a group of ruffed grouses called?
Group name (collective noun)
A group of Ruffed Grouses is called a covey.
Baby name
A baby Ruffed Grouse is called a chick.
Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .
Wing-drumming display
Males beat wings to create a rising, accelerating drum on logs — a sound that carries far in spring forests. A black neck ruff and crested head distinguish displaying birds.
Buds, leaves, and brief flights
Aspen, birch, and other buds dominate winter food; summer adds insects, berries, and green plants. Explosive short flights help escape predators in dense cover.
Deciduous forest floor
Mixed and deciduous forests across Canada and the Appalachian and Great Lakes regions of the United States. Young aspen stands often hold the highest densities.
Forestry friend and foe
Least Concern overall. Clearcuts that regenerate aspen can boost numbers temporarily, but mature-forest loss and West Nile virus have depressed some populations.
Explore the Ruffed Grouse
Related Birds
Range & geography
Conservation status of the Ruffed Grouse
The ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Least Concern (LC) is the IUCN's lowest-risk category, assigned to widespread, abundant species that have been evaluated and found not to be threatened. It does not mean a species faces no pressures — only that it is not currently at risk of extinction.
The ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) is assessed on the IUCN Red List. Look up on the IUCN Red List .
Frequently asked questions about the Ruffed Grouse
Why do ruffed grouse drum?
Males drum to advertise territory and attract females — the sound is made by wing beats, not vocal cords.
What is the neck ruff on a grouse?
Black feathers around the neck that males erect during display.
Can ruffed grouse fly far?
They burst into short, loud flights through trees but spend most time walking on the forest floor.
What trees do ruffed grouse need?
Aspen and birch for buds, with dense understory for cover from hawks and mammals.
Are ruffed grouse the same as partridge?
Hunters sometimes call them partridge, but they are true grouse in Bonasa, not Old World partridges.
What is a group of ruffed grouses called?
A group of Ruffed Grouses is called a covey.
What is a baby ruffed grouse called?
A baby Ruffed Grouse is called a chick.
Sources & references
This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Ruffed Grouse:
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IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status (Least Concern) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Bonasa umbellus.
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iNaturalist — observations & photos
Search citizen-science observations and community IDs for Bonasa umbellus. Useful for range checks and recent sightings — not a substitute for formal Red List status.
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GBIF — occurrence data
Global Biodiversity Information Facility species search for Bonasa umbellus. Explore published occurrence records used in range research.
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eBird — bird observations
Cornell Lab eBird target search for Ruffed Grouse. Check recent checklists and seasonal abundance where birders report this species.
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