3 WI Ruffed Grouse hunting with the Ruffed Grouse Society

The male Ruffed Grouse performs a unique drumming act in the fall and spring. He will stand on top of a fallen log or stone, so he can be high above the ground. Then he will beat his wings against the air making a deep, thumping sound that can be heard up to a half mile away. All to get across the message that this is his territory so other males should stay away while also welcoming any females to come closer. The male in this video was performing for visitors at Stony Man summit last Monday fo

Male ruffed grouse “drum” in springtime as a way to establish territory and to attract females. Although it looks as if the sound is caused by the bird’s wings hitting its chest, the sound actually comes from small sonic booms. The wings beat up to 5 times per second, causing the sound waves to stack up until they create a penetrating shock wave that creates the boom. Male grouse usually perform on a “drumming log,” which might help project the low-frequency sound. Drumming exerts a remarkable a