ruffed grouse

noun

1. a North American grouse, Bonasa umbellus, having a tuft of black feathers on each side of the neck.

ruffed grouse

noun

1. a large North American grouse, Bonasa umbellus , having brown plumage with darker markings around the neck and a black-tipped fan-shaped tail

Word History and Origins

Origin of ruffed grouse¹

An Americanism dating back to 1745–55

Example Sentences

I'm not going to stand here palavering all day, with my feathers up like a ruffed grouse.

From Project Gutenberg

The ruffed grouse sometimes buds in an orchard near the woods, and thus takes the farmer's apple crop a year in advance.

From Project Gutenberg

I have heard the hairbird, and the note of the kingbird; and the ruffed grouse frequently drums at night.

From Project Gutenberg

About Victoria there were found, he said, two species of grouse,—the ruffed grouse and the blue grouse.

From Project Gutenberg

Unseen amid his dun and gray environment, the ruffed grouse skulks unheard, till he bursts away in thunderous flight.

From Project Gutenberg