American State Birds - Click on a bird to learn more
ruffed grouse
State bird of: Pennsylvania
Description
The ruffed grouse comes in two phases, each identified by the color of its tail. The "gray" phase ruffed grouse has a gray tail, and the "red" phase ruffed grouse has a rufous-colored (red-brown) tail. The two kinds of ruffed grouses are identical otherwise.
The male Ruffed grouse measures about 18 inches in length. Chicken-like in appearance, it is brownish throughout with heavily streaked, white underparts and black flanks. Males have a large, conspicuous crest and a black tuft of feathers on the neck called a "ruff". The tail, which the male fans during courtship, is bright rufous or gray with a narrow, dark band toward the end. Females are slightly smaller and have a smaller crest.
The ruffed grouse is perfectly camouflaged in the deep coniferous or mixed woodlands. Often times birdwatchers never notice the bird until it explodes in a flurry of flight before being stepped on. Such encounters can be quite startling. The male ruffed grouse will drum (beat his wings rapidly) on a log or rock to attract a female. The male ruffed grouse may take several mates, but will not assist in the rearing of the young.