Ruffed Grouse

As the most widespread and well-known grouse in North America, the Ruffed Grouse is found in forests from Alaska to Georgia. The male's tapping call is often heard in spring, but a careful observer might spot him perched on a horizontal log, his collar puffed out, flapping his wings in the air. Deeper in scrub forests, the Ruffed Grouse may be seen walking on the ground or perched in trees. When not hunted, they can be surprisingly docile.