Pennsylvania State Bird
Ruffed Grouse

• Official Pennsylvania State Bird Name: Ruffed Grouse
• Family: Phasianidae
• Scientific Name: Bonasa umbellus
• Length: 17" (43 cm)
• Diet: Omnivore; About 80% buds, leaves, flowers, seeds, and fruit; 20% insects, spiders, snails, small vertebrates. Young fed largely on insects and invertebrates.
• Voice: Male display is a series of accelerating, muffled thumps, produced by beating wings rapidly while standing, that sounds like a distant motor starting (this low-pitched "drumming" is often felt rather than heard). Both sexes give clucking notes and higher squeal when alarmed.
• Habitat: Ground and understory of deciduous or mixed woodlands.
• Displays: Male display on individual territories where they "drum" (usually on log) with rapid forward and upward strokes of the wings, the drumming accelerating then decelerating; males erect crest and neck ruff feathers, fan tail, and strut.
• Number of broods: 1
• Nest: Often concealed at base of tree, under branches of fallen tree or nest to log; deep hollow, lined with preened feathers.
• Eggs: Averages 9-12 buff-colored eggs, lightly spotted with browns. 1.5" (39 mm).
• Incubation period: 21-28 days
• Fledge: 10-12 days after hatching
• Longevity Record: 8 Years and 6 months (according to USGS Bird Banding Lab)

Settlers relied on this plump, red-brown bird with the feathery legs as part of their food supply. Sometimes called a partridge, the Ruffed Grouse is still a familiar sight in Pennsylvania's forests. It was designated the Pennsylvania State Bird on June 22, 1931.

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