Species & Ecosystem Science

	Lead Scientist: Michael A. Schroeder Ecoregions: Columbia Plateau, North Cascades, Cascades, Coast Range, Willamette Valley-Puget Trough-Georgia Basin, Modoc Plateau and East Cascades, Northern Rockies, Blue Mountains, Puget Lowlands Ecological Systems: Northern Rocky Mountain Dry-mesic Montane Mixed Conifer Forest, Columbia Basin Foothill Riparian Woodland and Shrubland, East Cascades Mesic Montane Mixed-Conifer Forest and Woodland, Northern Rocky Mountain Mesic Montane Mixed Conifer Forest, Northern Rocky Mountain Subalpine Woodland and Parkland, Rocky Mountain Subalpine Dry-mesic Spruce-Fir Forest and Woodland, Rocky Mountain Subalpine Mesic-wet Spruce-Fir Forest and Woodland, North Pacific Hypermaritime Western Red-cedar-Western Hemlock Forest, North Pacific Maritime Dry-mesic Douglas Fir-Western Hemlock Forest, North Pacific Maritime Mesic-wet Douglas Fir-Western Hemlock Forest, Rocky Mountain Aspen Forest and Woodland, Northern Rocky Mountain Lower Montane Riparian Woodland and Shrubland, Rocky Mountain Subalpine-Montane Riparian Woodland
	Click on photo to enlarge
	Ruffed grouse are widely distributed in North America and clearly distinguishable from the other species of grouse.

Grouse Ecology

Ruffed Grouse Ecology

Ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) are widely distributed in North America. In many states they are the only species of grouse present and are popular among sportsman. Within Washington, they are found in forests where hardwoods are present. They are generally not found in the sagebrush and grassland habitats of the basin or the dense conifer habitats of the Cascades. Although they appear to prefer mixed or solid aspen forests and woodlands in eastern Washington, they are somewhat ‘flexible’ in that they can use other types of forests, particularly in western Washington.

Male ruffed grouse are well-known for their ‘drumming’ breeding display. The male usually stands on a ‘drumming’ log and beats his wings about 50 times in 8 to 11 seconds with increasing speed to produce a loud ‘drumming’ sound.

Current Research

• Harvest management of ruffed grouse

Selected Publications

• Harvest management of forest grouse in Washington, with a focus in north-central Washington
• Ruffed grouse
• Grouse of the Lewis and Clark expedition, 1803-1806
• Grouse of the Lewis & Clark expedition

Other Links and Resources

• Ruffed Grouse Society
• Ruffed grouse drumming display audio
• Hunting regulations and seasons

Click on map to enlarge		Click on map to enlarge
The approximate distribution of ruffed grouse in North America (Schroeder 2004).		The approximate distribution of ruffed grouse in Washington (Schroeder 2005).
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Ruffed grouse are relatively common in aspen and mixed aspen forests.		Ruffed grouse also can be found in moist forests of western Washington.
Click on photo to enlarge Ruffed grouse nest on the ground, usually in an area concealed by understory shrubs.

All photos unless otherwise indicated are courtesy of Michael A. Schroeder