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Ruffed Grouse

Bonasa umbellus

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42.3451, -72.4905

Field Notes

Notes:

I was out on our local bike path when this grouse came out of the woods and started pecking at my shoes and pants legs. It managed to untie both my boots and pursued me at least 100 feet down the path, making soft chicken-like noises. My guess is that my boots were similar in color and size to another grouse, which needed to be chased out of its territory. It was wonderful to get so close to what is usually a very shy game bird.

Reference Links:

Ruffed Grouse, Life History, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (32)
Liana
That's hilarious!
AshleyT
Hi Artistas, if you would like to share this photo, please go to the Project Noah main facebook page to do so. Thanks! https://www.facebook.com/projectnoah
Artistas Anónimos
Scott Rasmussen... I will give your credit name... of course... :) See my website... at https://www.facebook.com/artistasanonimos
Artistas Anónimos
Hello... I loved your photo of this Rufed Grouss... may I share it? :))
ScottRasmussen
Thanks for the info on those documentaries. I'll have to see if I can track them down.
WayneWilkins
Grouse seem to like shoestrings as years ago on PBS they have a Douc. on Grouse and showed them doing the same thing. There was a mounted Grouse on a board and the man filming the Douc. placed it in the woods and a Male Grouse came up to it and tried to mate with the stuffed grouse. Then attacked his red shoestrings....as in this case. There is also another PBS show called " The Gosehawk and the Grouse " that is really good. Love these shots and video, Thanks..
VivBraznell
Great little bird .... great video ... great spotting! Well done with the SOTD : )
FelixO
Congrats on the SOTD!
ScottRasmussen
Thanks for the SOTD and to everyone for all the nice comments.
KarenL
What a great encounter Scott! Congratulations, it's earned you Spotting of the Day! Facebook: https://upload.facebook.com/projectnoah/photos/a.10150595289465603.674700.10150120463815603/10153988189925603/?type=1&stream_ref=10 Twitter: https://twitter.com/projectnoah/status/451545699373813760
ScottRasmussen
Breeding season is probably starting around here. I haven't heard any drumming in the woods yet, however. This bird is probably a male defending its territory which mistook my vaguely grouse-colored boots for another male. I've also had females come very close while attempting to lure me away from their chicks.
Jellis
Is it also nesting season? Great shots and funny story
staccyh
Love the story and the photos! :)
The MnMs
Nice encounter! Brave grouse!
ShannaB
Awesome pics and great story!
ScottRasmussen
If you do a Google search for "grouse attack" you'll discover that this sort of thing isn't uncommon. My guess is that the males are extremely territorial, much like tom turkeys.
Fyn Kynd
Great spotting! I wonder why this hen had a problem with you.

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PublishedMarch 30, 2014

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