That a ruffed grouse. Typically I start running into them around 6000' elev in nearby Idaho. Id be suprised if there were any in liberty lake area. One tell tale identifiable trait is spruce grouse (fool hen) have a dash of very red eyeliner on top eyelid. Its obvious one you see it and the grouse in video did have this. Spruce grouse also have extremely reddish to purplish meat when you clean them for consumption while ruffed grouse are lighter in tone.
This is not a Spruce Grouse. Note the banding on the tail. The tips of the tail feathers on a Spruce Grouse are orange colored. This is a male Ruffed Grouse and I am not certain why he is behaving this way during the fall of the year. Neil M. Travis, Federal Bird Bander.
Wonderful video and narration Toivo - thanks!!
Thanks Tom! Hope to see you and your wife on the trail some day.
Cool video Toivo. 😊
Thanks for the comment!!!
That a ruffed grouse. Typically I start running into them around 6000' elev in nearby Idaho. Id be suprised if there were any in liberty lake area. One tell tale identifiable trait is spruce grouse (fool hen) have a dash of very red eyeliner on top eyelid. Its obvious one you see it and the grouse in video did have this. Spruce grouse also have extremely reddish to purplish meat when you clean them for consumption while ruffed grouse are lighter in tone.
Thanks Aaron. I see partridge at all elevations here in Liberty Lake and growing up in Upper Michigan.
This is not a Spruce Grouse. Note the banding on the tail. The tips of the tail feathers on a Spruce Grouse are orange colored. This is a male Ruffed Grouse and I am not certain why he is behaving this way during the fall of the year. Neil M. Travis, Federal Bird Bander.
Neil... Greatly appreciate that confirmation. The behavior threw me off but the neck flares sure are Ruffed Grouse features.
Thanks Aaron. I see partridge at all elevations here in Liberty Lake and growing up in Upper Michigan.