The ruffed grouse is a medium-sized grouse species native to forests across much of North America. Ruffed grouse are perhaps best known for the dramatic display of males during the breeding season, where they erect the feathers of their ruffs, fan their tails, and produce a distinctive drumming sound. Ruffed grouse are popular gamebirds pursued by hunters across their range. However, despite their widespread distribution and abundance as a game species in many areas, ruffed grouse are showing signs of decline in portions of their range, raising questions around how common they truly are.
What is the ruffed grouse?
The ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) is a medium-sized grouse species in the pheasant family Phasianidae. They are a rotund, chicken-like bird reaching lengths of 16 to 19 inches. Their most distinctive feature is the wide, dark ruff of feathers around their neck, which can be erected during displays. Ruffed grouse have delicately patterned gray-brown plumage above and whitish undersides. They have a pointed tail with a broad dark band near the tip.
Ruffed grouse inhabit forests across much of Canada and the northern United States. They are mainly associated with deciduous forests but also use coniferous woods. Within these habitats, ruffed grouse look for areas with dense underbrush where they can take cover. Their diet consists of seeds, nuts, fruits, buds, leaves, and insects.
One unique behavior of ruffed grouse is their drumming display. To attract females in spring, males stand on fallen logs and rapidly beat their wings, creating a muffled thumping sound. The drumming of their wings helps advertise territories and attract mates.
How common are ruffed grouse?
The ruffed grouse has an extensive distribution across much of forested North America. Their range stretches across Canada from Alaska to Newfoundland. In the United States, they occur in forests from the Pacific coast through the northern Rocky Mountains to the Appalachians.
Within this broad range, ruffed grouse are considered common gamebirds and a key species in many forest habitats. Their populations can be quite dense where habitat is suitable. For example, studies in the Appalachians have found spring densities ranging from 3 to 10 grouse per hectare in prime habitat.
As a result of their abundance, ruffed grouse are popular gamebirds with approximately 2 to 3 million taken by hunters each year in the United States. They are considered among the most important upland gamebirds across the northern and eastern United States as well as Canada.
So across extensive parts of their range, ruffed grouse remain common residents in forest habitats. However, populations have shown concerning declines in portions of the Midwest and Appalachians.
Are ruffed grouse declining?
While still widespread and common in many regions, data suggests ruffed grouse have undergone population declines in parts of the Midwest and Appalachians since the 1960s and 1970s.
Analyses of the North American Breeding Bird Survey have found declining trends in ruffed grouse abundance across portions of their southern range. Between 1966 and 2015, ruffed grouse declined by an estimated 2.1% per year across the central and southern Appalachians. Parts of the upper Midwest also showed annual declines of 0.9%.
In Ohio, ruffed grouse have declined steeply since the 1960s and are now rare in many areas where they were once fairly common. Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan have seen substantial decreases in ruffed grouse hunter harvests, indicating decreasing populations.
These declines appear most pronounced along the southern edge of the ruffed grouse’s range in the United States. Habitat loss due to forest fragmentation may be a key driver. Ruffed grouse rely on forests with dense understory vegetation, which are declining. Earlier spring growth associated with climate change may also disadvantage ruffed grouse.
So while still widespread, data suggests the ruffed grouse should be a species of conservation concern in parts of its range. We need to monitor populations and habitat to ensure this important gamebird remains a fixture in forests.
Why are ruffed grouse declining in some areas?
Several possible factors may be contributing to the declining trends observed in ruffed grouse populations across parts of their southern range:
Habitat loss – Ruffed grouse rely on forests with a dense understory that provides cover and food. Logging, forest grazing, and development have reduced this understory vegetation in many areas. Fragmentation of forest habitats is especially detrimental.
Invasive species – Invasive plant species like buckthorn and Japanese barberry have taken over the understory in some forests, outcompeting native plants that ruffed grouse need for food and cover. Some invasive insects can also impact ruffed grouse.
Climate change – Warmer springs associated with climate change lead to earlier budding and leaf emergence. This may put ruffed grouse hatchlings out of sync with food sources like insects and herbaceous plants.
Overhunting – Ruffed grouse are popular gamebirds. High harvest rates in marginal habitat may depress populations that are already in decline. Some argue harvest limits may help sustain populations.
Disease – Parasites and diseases like the West Nile Virus may have greater impacts on ruffed grouse populations that are already stressed by habitat loss and degradation.
Predators – With declining habitat, grouse may be more vulnerable to predators. Fragmentation increases the number of edges. However, impacts of predation are complex.
Pesticides – Pesticides reduce insect food sources and may impact ruffed grouse reproduction and chick survival. Lead ammunition also poses risks of lead poisoning.
The exact causes likely involve a combination of these interrelated factors, with habitat loss potentially being the most significant stressor.
How can we support ruffed grouse populations?
To ensure the long-term sustainability of ruffed grouse populations, targeted strategies for habitat management and population monitoring are recommended:
Habitat management
– Conserve large forest blocks and minimize fragmentation through easements, reserves etc. This ensures adequate habitat.
– Use silvicultural techniques to create dense understory vegetation with small gaps. This provides protective cover.
– Control invasive plants and insects that degrade native understory plants ruffed grouse require.
– Maintain habitat corridors that allow connectivity between subpopulations.
Population monitoring and protection
– Continue long-term surveys like the Breeding Bird Survey to detect population trends.
– In declining areas, regulate harvest through hunting permit numbers and seasons.
– Use surveys to monitor reproductive success and chick survival.
– Protect populations through conservation easements on private forestlands.
– Reduce impacts of pesticides through integrated pest management. Promote lead ammunition alternatives.
Reintroduction efforts
– Where extirpated, reintroduction programs may help reestablish populations in suitable habitat.
Through proactive management of habitat and monitoring of populations, we can hopefully reverse declines in ruffed grouse abundance in parts of its range. As a popular gamebird and keystone forest species, conservation efforts for the ruffed grouse are recommended.
Conclusion
The ruffed grouse remains a widespread and common upland gamebird across the northern and eastern United States as well as Canada. However, long-term population data reveals concerning declines in portions of the species’ range. These downward trends appear most significant along the southern edge of its distribution, including areas in the Midwest and Appalachians.
Habitat loss due to forest fragmentation and degradation is likely a primary driver of these declines. Warmer springs associated with climate change may also play a role. To ensure the vitality of ruffed grouse populations, management efforts aimed at improving habitat and monitoring reproductive success are needed, especially in areas showing declines. If appropriate habitat conditions can be maintained and overhunting avoided, the iconic ruffed grouse will hopefully remain a fixture in the forests of North America for years to come.