# Ruffed Grouse (*Bonasa umbellus*)

> 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.

- **Category:** Bird
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Forests across Canada and the northern United States.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/ruffed-grouse/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Aves
- **Order:** Galliformes
- **Family:** Phasianidae
- **Genus:** Bonasa

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| 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) |

## 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.

## Frequently asked questions

### 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.

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/ruffed-grouse/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.