Ruffed Grouse
Posted on in Recent Sightings by Hawk Mountain
A non-raptor was sighted at North Lookout: the Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus)! This bird is a member of the family Phasianidae, which is made up of wild chickens, turkeys, and pheasants, as well as other species of grouse. Ruffed grouse are the state birds of Pennsylvania and are found in deciduous and mixed forest habitats. They forage on the forest-floor for seeds and insects, their mottled plumage allowing them to keep hidden in the undergrowth.
Photo by Gary Celeste.