Bird of the Week – Ruffed Grouse
We’re pretty much done with raptors. It’s time to look at birds a little lower down the food chain. And in Interior Alaska, that means the Ruffed Grouse.
Ruffed Grouse Closeup, Creamer’s Refuge, Fairbanks
This is Dennis, a Ruffed Grouse who was determined to drive all humans out of his territory. Dennis isn’t with us any longer; it’s not a behavioral style that confers an evolutionary advantage; his genes have left the pool.
Ruffed Grouse Female, Foraging in Chokecherry Tree, Fairbanks
Like every species of Galliformes that WC has encountered, the Ruffed Grouse has an elaborate courtship display, including the display shown here and very impressive “drumming.” While perched on a log, stump, boulder, or other slightly raised platform, with his tail braced, the male repeatedly spreads his wings and then rotates his wings forward, then quickly backward. It makes a kind of “booming” sound, and sounds something like a cranky engine starting up.
Ruffed Grouse Male Display, Fairbanks
Interior Alaska is near the northern limit of the species range. They are found as far south as Georgia.
For more bird photos, please visit Frozen Feather Images.
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Nice! Is there a story to share about how departed Dennis earned his name?
Yer Dennis has shown up as the wingnut guv of the state of South Dakota, curiously named Daugaard which is Danish for former Alaska resident driven away by decent people. In his present incarnation he drives away students, teachers and most young people.
A story? Yes.
WC’s to tell? No.
/WC
Your description almost makes me feel like I was there!