There are 4 main species of grouse that can be found in North America. The grouse belong to the order Galliformes and family Phasianidae and are considered game birds. The 4 grouse species found in North America include:
- Ruffed Grouse
- Spruce Grouse
- Blue Grouse
- Greater Sage-Grouse
Grouse are medium to large-sized birds with round bodies and feathered legs. They live in wooded or open habitats and can be found across Canada, Alaska and the lower 48 United States. Grouse are important game birds and their populations are closely monitored by wildlife agencies. Read on to learn more about the identification, range, habitat, diet and breeding of the 4 grouse species found in North America.
Ruffed Grouse
The ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) is the most widespread and well-known grouse species in North America. They are found throughout forested regions of Canada and the northern and eastern United States.
Identification
Ruffed grouse have grayish-brown coloration with black ruffs (ruffs refer to the black band of feathers around the neck). The tail is long and rounded. They weigh between 450-750 g and reach lengths of 40-50 cm.
Males can be identified by the bold black ruffs and tail banding. Females have more subtle black neck and tail markings. Both sexes have feather tufts on the sides of the neck called ruffs. These dark ruffs can be raised as a display.
Range
The ruffed grouse has an extensive range across the forested regions of North America. They are found from Alaska across Canada to the Atlantic coast. Their range extends south in mountainous forest regions to Georgia and Alabama.
Habitat
Ruffed grouse primarily inhabit deciduous and mixed forests with dense undergrowth. They are found in treed areas that provide cover and food resources. In the northern parts of their range they live in aspen and birch forests. Further south they occur in oak-hickory forests.
Diet
These birds have an omnivorous diet consisting of buds, leaves, flowers, insects, and berries from trees and shrubs. Important food sources include greenbrier, grapes, cherries, blueberries, apples, acorns and beechnuts.
Breeding
The breeding season of ruffed grouse starts in late March or early April. Males establish and defend breeding territories, performing courtship displays on drumming logs to attract females. After mating, the female builds a nest on the ground which consists of a depression lined with leaves and grass.
A clutch of around 9-12 eggs is laid. The eggs are lightly colored with brown spots. Incubation lasts 23-24 days and hatchlings are able to fly short distances after 2 weeks. Broods stay with the female through fall when they disperse to establish their own territories.
Spruce Grouse
The spruce grouse (Falcipennis canadensis) inhabits boreal forests across Alaska, Canada and the northern United States. They are the most northerly distributed grouse species in North America.
Identification
Spruce grouse are a mottled gray-brown color with black and white patterning on the underparts. The belly and breast is black with white spotting. They have a red patch of bare skin above the eye. Males are larger than females.
Range
The range extends across the boreal forest from Alaska to Newfoundland and Labrador. They are found as far south as the northern Great Lakes region and northern New England. Spruce grouse inhabit coniferous and mixed forests.
Habitat
Spruce grouse are found in spruce-fir forests and taiga habitat. They prefer dense, mature coniferous stands with shrubby undergrowth. In particular, they rely on cover provided by spruce, true firs and tamarack trees.
Diet
Their diet consists mainly of conifer needles from spruce, pine and fir trees. They also eat other tree buds, catkins, flowers, seeds, berries and some insects. In winter, spruce grouse feed almost exclusively on conifer needles.
Breeding
Breeding occurs from April to June. Males perform courtship displays and establish loose territories. The female builds a nest on the ground made of leaves, twigs and feathers. A clutch of around 5-8 eggs is laid.
Incubation lasts 21-23 days and is performed solely by the female. Chicks fledge by 2 weeks but remain with the female for an extended period. Spruce grouse have an irregular, boom-and-bust population cycle.
Blue Grouse
The blue grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) is a medium-sized grouse of the mountainous western United States and Canada. They are found in coniferous forests along the Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains.
Identification
Males are gray-blue with yellow eye combs, purple throat sacs and black tails with a pale grey band. Females are mottled brown with dark barring on the underparts and pale throat patches.
Range
Blue grouse range from southeast Alaska south along the Pacific Coast Ranges to California. They are found eastward to Montana and southward into New Mexico along the Rocky Mountains. Isolated populations occur in the Great Basin and Columbia Plateau.
Habitat
These grouse inhabit montane coniferous forests dominated by fir, spruce, pine and hemlock. They are found at elevations between 4,000-12,000 ft. Blue grouse occupy more open, drier conifer stands than spruce grouse.
Diet
Their year-round diet consists of needles and buds from conifers such as Douglas fir, ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine and Engelmann spruce. Other food sources include berries, seeds, flowers and insects.
Breeding
Breeding occurs from March to May. Males perform hooting and popping displays to attract females to their territories. Nests consist of scrapes on the ground lined with vegetation.
Clutch sizes range from 4-10 eggs. Incubation is 24-26 days and is performed by the female. Chicks can fly short distances by 2 weeks but remain with the female until fall dispersal.
Greater Sage-Grouse
The greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) is the largest grouse in North America. It inhabits sagebrush flats and foothills in the western United States and Canada.
Identification
Greater sage-grouse have a long pointed tail and pale mottled plumage. Males have black throats and bellies and white breast feathers. Females are more uniformly brown with a white throat. Males perform conspicuous displays during breeding.
Range
They are found from southeast Alberta and southwest Saskatchewan to Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California. Isolated populations occur in North and South Dakota.
Habitat
Greater sage-grouse are found in sagebrush plains, foothills and mountain valleys. Big sagebrush and silver sagebrush are important habitat components. They typically avoid coniferous forest.
Diet
The diet consists of sagebrush leaves, buds and shoots throughout most of the year. Forbs, grass shoots, ants, beetles and other insects are also eaten. Sage-grouse depend almost exclusively on sagebrush habitat for food and cover.
Breeding
Breeding takes place from March to May. Males congregate and perform spectacular displays on communal leks to attract females. Nests consist of scrapes concealed in vegetation.
Clutch size ranges from 6-9 eggs. Incubation lasts 25-28 days and chicks fledge by 2 weeks. Broods break up by early fall. Greater sage-grouse face threats from habitat loss and fragmentation due to development, agriculture and wildfires.
Comparison of Grouse Species
Species | Size | Range | Habitat |
---|---|---|---|
Ruffed Grouse | 450-750 g, 40-50 cm long | Across Canada, Alaska and northern and eastern US | Deciduous and mixed forests |
Spruce Grouse | 450-650 g, 37-43 cm long | Boreal forests from Alaska to Newfoundland | Coniferous and mixed forests |
Blue Grouse | 500-1,100 g, 40-50 cm long | Western mountains from Alaska to New Mexico | Coniferous montane forests |
Greater Sage-Grouse | 0.8-3.2 kg, 60-80 cm long | Western US and Canada | Sagebrush plains and foothills |
Key Points:
- There are 4 main species of grouse in North America: ruffed, spruce, blue and greater sage-grouse.
- Grouse inhabit forest and sagebrush habitats across Canada, Alaska and the continental United States.
- They are medium to large game birds identified by stocky bodies, feathered legs and mottled plumage.
- Males perform elaborate courtship displays during the breeding season.
- Grouse are important ecologically and as game birds.
Conclusion
In summary, North America is home to 4 species of grouse including the ruffed grouse, spruce grouse, blue grouse and greater sage-grouse. These birds occupy an array of forest and sagebrush habitats across North America. Grouse are characterized by their plump bodies, feathered legs and soft plumage that provides camouflage. Though they exhibit similarities, each species has adapted to thrive in its distinct ecological niche. Understanding the identification, distribution, habitat, diet and breeding patterns of the 4 grouse species provides insight into their biological needs and conservation. Grouse remain popular game birds and maintaining their populations through sustainable hunting and habitat management continues to be a priority throughout their ranges.