ruffed grouse

American  

noun

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

---

ruffed grouse British  

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

---

Etymology

Origin of ruffed grouse

An Americanism dating back to 1745–55

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ruffed grouse

That evening, a ruffed grouse — a crow-size bird with a tiny mohawk and mottled feathers — appeared at his feet.

From New York Times ● Dec. 15, 2023

"On the surface, all ruffed grouse look fairly similar, but they actually have deep genetic differences," he said.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 4, 2023

Others counter that so few national forests have been logged in recent decades that species such as ruffed grouse and bobcat, which need open space and young, shrubby forest, are losing habitat.

From Science Magazine ● Apr. 26, 2023

Some hunters say hungry turkeys are outcompeting ruffed grouse, which are decreasing in parts of their range, such as the Upper Midwest.

From Washington Post ● Aug. 12, 2022

Red-tailed hawks, barred owls, a ruffed grouse, an osprey with brown wings the color of Byrd’s eyes, and even a male wild turkey, fluffed and frozen in time.

From "A Bird Will Soar" by Alison Green Myers