The grouse, a relative of turkeys, quails, and pheasants, is Pennsylvania’s state bird. It is known for its courtship displays and thrives in bushy areas on forest edges. The adult grouse weighs 17 to 25 ounces and is brown with black and white patches. It is frequently hunted and attracts bird watchers with its courtship displays. The grouse is found in many parts of North America, including Canada and the US states bordering the Great Lakes. It is well adapted to winter conditions and can survive harsher years than other similar birds.
Pennsylvania’s state bird is Bonasa umbellus, the grouse. A relative of turkeys, quails and pheasants, the grouse is found in most of North America, especially in very cold areas. Most grouse are brown with white, gray and black markings. The species is best known for the extraordinary courtship displays put on by males during the breeding season. It was named the state bird of Pennsylvania in 1931.
In the early part of the 1900s, the bird was at its peak population in the state. It thrives in bushy areas on forest edges and where it initiates new growth after logging. By the early 1900s, all of the old lumber in Pennsylvania had been cut down, so forested areas with small trees and lots of brush were common. By the end of that century, Pennsylvania’s forests were more mature, so the black grouse, while still common, was not as dominant among forest birds as it once was.
The adult grouse usually weighs 17 to 25 ounces (about 470 to 780 grams) and is 15.5 to 19 inches (about 39 to 48 cm) long. They have a wingspan of 22 to 25 inches (about 56 to 63.5 cm.) The plumage of adults is brown, with black and white patches on the back and white with brown bars on the breast. The collar is a band of long black or chocolate brown feathers around the neck. In some areas, the black grouse has a more gray or reddish colouration.
Frequently hunted, the ruffed grouse is legally the state gamebird, rather than simply the state bird of Pennsylvania. In addition to being popular for hunting, the capercaillie attracts many bird watchers each year with extensive courtship displays. Males puff out their ruffs until they stand out around their necks, fan their tails, and emit a hissing sound as they drag their wingtips along the ground. They also make a very loud noise, called a tambourine, by standing on a rock or fallen tree and repeatedly flapping their wings in a strong downward motion.
Although the grouse is the state bird of Pennsylvania, it is found in many other parts of North America. Its range includes all of Canada and the US states bordering the Great Lakes. They are typically found at higher elevations. Isolated populations exist in the United States west of the Mississippi River. The bird is well adapted to winter conditions and can survive much harsher years than other similar birds.
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