Saturday 24 October 2015

[Maine-birds] Spruce Grouse with attitude

Today was a great day to be up in the North Maine Woods, although grouse hunters were everywhere due to great weather on a Saturday.

 

White-winged crossbill numbers have built a little bit. Pine Siskins are flocking up. We notched our first Bohemian Waxwings (3) of the season. An Eastern Bluebird in the woods was not a total surprise. I get them up there now and then. The usual Boreal Chickadees and Gray Jays. In fact, the Gray Jays seemed rather numerous today. Maybe a dozen?

 

But this is why the Spruce Grouse has become my favorite bird. They have such personalities. Even though we were not approaching her, and we showed deference, she showed defiance. She strutted around, ruffing up her neck feathers and fanning her tail, insisting we go away. We did. If interested, her shuck and jive is about a minute into https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vTJDi_-w3o. It’s also posted on the Maine Birding Trail Facebook page: www.facebook.com/MaineBirdingTrail.  

 

Bob Duchesne

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