Ruffed Grouse drumming

    A friend took me looking for Ruffed Grouse this summer and this time we witnessed this male Ruffed Grouse doing his drumming courtship display on a log in a wooded area of Calgary. The drumming sound, made by beating the air with its wings, feels as if it is vibrating through your body. Sounds very much like a motor starting up. Males and females look similar. Thanks, David, as always!

    Comments and faves

    1. annkelliott (69 months ago | reply)

      Ron, thanks for adding this to your Favourites. Saw one Ruffed Grouse down in Weaselhead yesterday evening and then we saw a group of three take off into the air. I can assure you that I don't need any more surprises like that to get my heart thumping - not after coming across the Black Bear in Weaselhead just over two weeks ago!

    2. yeimaya (68 months ago | reply)

      this is great!... I hear them all the time .... so this is how they do it!!

      I have just been browsing through your photos.... they are gorgeous but I really appreciate what you say about them as well.... I am so glad you joined the coyote group. If you have coyote stories.... times you have seen or heard them please feel free to post them in Honoring Coyote

    3. annkelliott (68 months ago | reply)

      Thanks for taking a look, yeimaya, and for leaving a comment! Those Ruffed Grouse look as if they are trying to imitate a peacock when they get ready to drum! Quite spectacular! I'm really hoping to get the chance to witness this again next year, hopefully on a log out in the sunlight! Thanks for spending the time to browse through some of my photos. I always enjoy reading what people write below their photos - makes it so much more personal. Good luck with the Honoring Coyote group. They are such an interesting animal.

    4. annkelliott (68 months ago | reply)

      Thanks, ferranp2001, for adding this photo to your Favorites!

    5. ezz_eddie (65 months ago | reply)

      Well Ann you did it again, you amaze me with your pictures of wildlife this is really a cool one. And it is one of my favorites also.

    6. Stavenn (59 months ago | reply)

      Beautiful bird ! Great capture

      Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Phasianidae: Grouse, pheasants and partridges, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.

    7. Birdfreak.com (58 months ago | reply)

      This is spectacular! We've been to the "Ruffed Grouse capital" of the world, Park Falls, Wisconsin, but have never been blessed with seeing one drumming! Awesome shot!
      --
      Seen in Secret Life of Birds (?)

    8. Lakerdog (49 months ago | reply)

      what a great picture and great find that day! outstanding drumming bird! love your description of the drumming...

    9. Lakerdog and davidcreebirder added this photo to their favorites.

    10. trekok, enjoying (31 months ago | reply)

      Makes me wish I was there

    11. sunny00_04 (24 months ago | reply)

      Hi, I'm an admin for a group called The Great Ruffed Grouse, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

    12. This photo was invited and added to the The Great Ruffed Grouse group.

    13. sunny00_04 (24 months ago | reply)

      Thanks for adding this photo. Such a nice shot. Having seen drumming before it is awesome to see a great photo of it.

    14. kerrim60 (5 months ago | reply)

      That is so cool! I love the sound of the drumming, but have never seen it before!

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