Re: [Maine-birds] friendly ruffed grouse...?

Some years ago, we had some friends who lived near Unity.  They showed us "their" Ruffed Grouse, a male which came every day to be fed.  He seemed to be completely unafraid of humans.  I saw it with my own eyes.  I've never been that fortunate.  All we have is Turkeys who have learned not to be too afraid of us as they whack the feeders with their bills to knock seed on the ground.

Next time, take some cracked corn with you.  That bird will be your friend for life. 😁

Wally S.

On Fri, 29 Jan 2021 15:22:15 -0500, The Hasbroucks <thasbroucks@maine.rr.com> wrote:

It was our understanding that ruffed grouse were supposed to be pretty shy but we've had a gregarious one in our back woods this winter. We went sledding back there in early January and were surprised when a grouse came jogging out to meet us, hopped in and out of an empty sled, and generally made itself welcome. It came within two feet of us, and when we resumed sledding, thinking it would run off, it only craned it's neck to watch then started to run alongside the sled as if to race. (I really am not making this up.) It was pretty hilarious to watch and it repeated this behavior three or four times. Unfortunately we did not get good video of that though we took other pictures and videos.

We've been out a couple more times, either sledding, or just tromping when the snow was gone, and each time the grouse has come out to meet us and followed us around until we were out of the thicker woods.

Any thoughts on why this bird might be so tame?

Thanks!

the Hasbroucks
Gorham

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