Ruffed Grouse - Bonasa umbellus by amontanaview
Taken in September west of Victor, Montana USA.
Canon EOS 40D 1/400s, f/5.6. ISO:500
Lewis called this bird, “the small brown pheasant” and he said it was “booted” or feathered to the foot. Actually, the feathers don’t quite reach the foot. If you have been in the woods and heard a drumming sound in the spring, you may have heard a male Ruffed Grouse performing his mating ritual. To identify the Ruffed Grouse, look for the fan-shaped, banded tail and dark ruff-like feathers on the neck. No other grouse has these attributes. They need brush and cover like you see in this photo to survive.
Read more about it in my article about Ruffed Grouse.
Printed in Montana Rural Magazine April 2012 issue, page 22
Featured Nov 22, 2010 
Featured June, 2011 
Featured Jan 11, 2012 
Featured Jan 27, 2012 
Featured in newsletter of Montana Natural History Center for May 2012
Comments
Thanks Ray. I love this one, especially the little feathered foot on the branch. I wish I would have been a little lower.
– amontanaview
Great catch!
Beautiful capture!
Thank you Joycelone. I love this one, too!
– amontanaview
Thanks!
– amontanaview
Wow, this is a gorgeous capture Merle with fantastic gesture, clarity and color !! So beautifully done !!
Thank you!
– amontanaview
this is a beautiful shot Merle.
Sadly, one of these gorgeous birds just flew into our LR window last week and broke the glass as well as died. I was so upset for two reasons. Such a shame.
That is very sad. I have not heard of a grouse flying into a window. What a double tragedy.
– amontanaview
November 22, 2010
Thank you SO MUCH!
– amontanaview
Congratulations on your wonderful feature, great WORK and well earned.
Thank you Andrea.
– amontanaview
Wonderful image Merle, congratulations on your Montana Group Feature – June 2011 !!
Just saw this. How wonderful, thank you! More photos coming soon.
– amontanaview
Lovely shot.
Thanks Jeff, I like this one, too.
– amontanaview