The Ruffed Grouse is a forest grouse famous for the male's 'drumming' display, in which he beats his wings rapidly on a log to create a deep, resonant booming sound that travels far through the forest. Population cycles tied to snowshoe hare abundance make it a classic example of predator-prey dynamics in ecology. It eats aspen catkins and buds in winter, even roosting in snow drifts for insulation.
Habitat
Deciduous and mixed forests with young aspen stands
Diet
Buds, catkins, berries, insects, and leaves
How common
Common
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