We have outlined the differences between some of the grouse species of North America.
The prairie grouse is a resident of the Sierra Mountains of California. It is speckled brown over most of its body, but with a cottony-white underlayer showing when it ruffles its feathers. It has a blue-black color behind its neck and down both sides. In the summer months it lives on the lower slopes of the mountains where a variety of food is available. In winter it moves into the forests at higher elevations where its diet is limited mostly to the needles of fir trees.
As its name implies, the sage grouse prefers living in sagebrush country. It is one of the largest of the grouse species and appears even larger during mating dances when males puff out their pretty white body feathers while standing. At the same time their huge tail feathers, brown with white cross stripes and shaped like arrows, are raised skyward-a fascinating sight. The hens are more plain in their brown and white feathers.
The sharp-tailed grouse live in the Midwest plains as well as in the foothills of mountains in Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington and on up into Canada. The state of Montana has set aside an area called “Dancing Prairie” to protect and feed these pretty birds, so their numbers will increase. Their food is mainly grain, buds and flowers.
In the clothing industry, the collars of jackets and coats are referred to as the “ruff,” and that is how the ruffed grouse got its name. When males get into the excitement of their courting dances, the black feathers surrounding their necks billow out like an over-sized collar. This clever and shrewd grouse, with its square tail, is one of the smaller species, but it displays the biggest courting dance and makes the most noise. It lives on western mountain slopes during summer months but comes down to lower elevations in winter where it feasts on leaves, fruits, oak buds and acorns. We will look at more details of the ruffed grouse in the next issue.
As we consider these unusual birds, let us think of what King David said in Psalm 105:4545That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the Lord. (Psalm 105:45): “Seek the Lord, and His strength: seek His face evermore. Remember His marvelous works that He hath done.” Looking closely at creation helps us to see a little of the wisdom and majesty of the One who created it all.
(to be continued)
ML-09/12/1999