Ruffed Grouse (also known as Partridge or Drummer)

The Ruffed Grouse is a medium-sized chicken-like bird with cryptic plumage designed for forest floor camouflage. They are famous for the male's 'drumming' display. This feather displays the classic 'banded' look found on their tail and body feathers.

Features a prominent, wide subterminal dark brown to black band, a lighter buff-tan tip, and a mottled grayish-brown base with fine vermiculation.

The distal portion is pennaceous with interlocked barbs; the proximal base is highly plumulaceous (downy) with long, loose barbs for insulation.

Very soft and silky texture typical of forest-dwelling ground birds; matte finish with no iridescence.

Bold dark subterminal band, rounded tip, and prominent downy base. The mottling is very intricate (vermiculated).

Deciduous and mixed forests with heavy underbrush, particularly near aspen, birch, and willow stands.

Non-migratory resident across northern North America, from Alaska through Canada to the northern United States and Appalachia.

Primary consumer of buds and seeds; serves as a vital prey species for Goshawks, Great Horned Owls, and foxes.

Sharp-tailed Grouse feathers are more pointed; Spruce Grouse feathers usually lack the warm buff tones seen here.

The male creates a drumming sound not by hitting a log, but by flapping its wings so fast it creates a miniature vacuum that collapses with a 'thump'.

Good condition; the barbs are well-aligned at the tip, indicating it was likely a naturally molted feather rather than one from a predation event.