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Ruffed Grouse

Bonasa umbellus

Bird · family Phasianidae · order Galliformes

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Native in
37 states[3]
Longest recorded life
11 years[4]

The Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) is a bird in the family Phasianidae, order Galliformes[5]. It is ranked Secure worldwide and in the United States, and it is native to 37 US states and territories[2][6][3].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives the Ruffed Grouse a global rank of G5, which it labels Secure[2]. Its national rank for the United States is N5, also Secure[6]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[7]. The bird is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS data checked on 2026-10-30[1]. Listings can change by federal rule.

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N5 (Secure)
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern

Where Ruffed Grouse lives

NatureServe lists the Ruffed Grouse as native in 37 US states and territories[3]. These reach from Alaska and Washington across the northern states to Maine, and south to Georgia and Alabama[3]. It was introduced, and is not native, in Arkansas and Nevada[8]. NatureServe ranks it as extirpated or possibly extirpated, meaning gone, in the District of Columbia, Delaware, Kansas and Nebraska[9]. A state list shows where the bird is recorded, not a promise that you will see one.

Alaska: native, state rank S4AKMaine: native, state rank S5MEWisconsin: native, state rank S4BWIVermont: native, state rank S4VTNew Hampshire: native, state rank S5NHWashington: native, state rank S5WAIdaho: native, state rank S4IDMontana: native, state rank S4MTNorth Dakota: native, state rank SNRNDMinnesota: native, state rank SNRMNIllinois: native, state rank S3ILMichigan: native, state rank S5MINew York: native, state rank S5NYMassachusetts: native, state rank S4MAOregon: native, state rank S5ORNevada: introduced, state rank SNANVWyoming: native, state rank S5WYSouth Dakota: native, state rank S4B,S4NSDIowa: native, state rank S4BIAIndiana: native, state rank S3INOhio: native, state rank S5OHPennsylvania: native, state rank S4B,S3NPANew Jersey: native, state rank S5NJConnecticut: native, state rank S3CTRhode Island: native, state rank S5B,S5NRICalifornia: native, state rank S3CAUtah: native, state rank S4UTColorado: native, state rank SUCONebraska: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXNEMissouri: native, state rank SUMOKentucky: native, state rank S4KYWest Virginia: native, state rank S3B,S3NWVVirginia: native, state rank S5VAMaryland: native, state rank S3MDDelaware: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXDEArizona: not recordedAZNew Mexico: not recordedNMKansas: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXKSArkansas: introduced, state rank SNAARTennessee: native, state rank S4TNNorth Carolina: native, state rank S4NCSouth Carolina: native, state rank S2SCDistrict of Columbia: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXDCOklahoma: not recordedOKLouisiana: not recordedLAMississippi: not recordedMSAlabama: native, state rank S1ALGeorgia: native, state rank S3GAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: not recordedTXFlorida: not recordedFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[10].
Show state ranks (43 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaS1Critically Imperiled
AlaskaS4Apparently Secure
ArkansasSNANot Applicable
CaliforniaS3Vulnerable
ColoradoSUUnrankable
ConnecticutS3Vulnerable
DelawareSXPresumed Extirpated
District of ColumbiaSXPresumed Extirpated
GeorgiaS3Vulnerable
IdahoS4Apparently Secure
IllinoisS3Vulnerable
IndianaS3Vulnerable
IowaS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
KansasSXPresumed Extirpated
KentuckyS4Apparently Secure
MaineS5Secure
MarylandS3Vulnerable
MassachusettsS4Apparently Secure
MichiganS5Secure
MinnesotaSNRNot Ranked
MissouriSUUnrankable
MontanaS4Apparently Secure
NebraskaSXPresumed Extirpated
NevadaSNANot Applicable
New HampshireS5Secure
New JerseyS5Secure
New YorkS5Secure
North CarolinaS4Apparently Secure
North DakotaSNRNot Ranked
OhioS5Secure
OregonS5Secure
PennsylvaniaS4B,S3NApparently Secure (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
Rhode IslandS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
South CarolinaS2Imperiled
South DakotaS4B,S4NApparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
TennesseeS4Apparently Secure
UtahS4Apparently Secure
VermontS4Apparently Secure
VirginiaS5Secure
WashingtonS5Secure
West VirginiaS3B,S3NVulnerable (breeding), Vulnerable (nonbreeding)
WisconsinS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
WyomingS5Secure

Habitat

NatureServe records the Ruffed Grouse in hardwood, conifer and mixed forests and woodlands, in old fields and along riparian areas, which are the green strips beside streams[11]. It likes dense forest that includes some leafy deciduous trees[12]. Young forest gives the best conditions[12]. Nests are usually placed at the base of a tree, bush or stump, and chicks stay where the ground is well covered with plants[12].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[11]

Size, diet and lifespan

The Ruffed Grouse is about 43 cm (17 in) long and the typical adult weight is 621 g[13][14]. Adults eat plants, seeds, fruit and insects[15]. One diet estimate is 70% other plant material, 20% fruit and 10% invertebrates[16]. Young birds eat mainly insects and spiders[17]. A typical clutch is 11 eggs in AnAge, and incubation lasts 24 days[18][19]. The longest recorded lifespan is 11 years, which is a record and not a typical lifespan[4].

Trait Value
Typical length[13] 43 cm (17 in)
Typical adult weight[14] 621 g (21.9 oz)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[4] 11 years
Litter or clutch size[18] 11
Gestation or incubation[19] 24 days
Female maturity[20] 120 days (about 0.3 years)
Food habits[15] Invertivore, Herbivore, Granivore, Frugivore
Migration[21] non-migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[16]

  • 70% other plant material
  • 20% fruit
  • 10% invertebrates

When to look for it

Adults are active by day[22]. NatureServe calls the species a non-migrant, though populations can differ[21]. Drumming and mating peak at different times by place, from mid-March in Missouri to late April in Minnesota and early May in the far north[23]. On GBIF, most United States records fall in April, May and June[24]. These records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[24].

January: 13,527 recordsJanFebruary: 14,355 recordsFebMarch: 14,514 recordsMarApril: 47,461 recordsAprMay: 76,828 recordsMayJune: 34,100 recordsJunJuly: 16,893 recordsJulAugust: 10,543 recordsAugSeptember: 18,295 recordsSepOctober: 24,894 recordsOctNovember: 14,406 recordsNovDecember: 12,149 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[24].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January13,527
February14,355
March14,514
April47,461
May76,828
June34,100
July16,893
August10,543
September18,295
October24,894
November14,406
December12,149

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Ruffed Grouse as present in 49 park units[25]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 25 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: New York, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Vermont[26]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Ruffed Grouse endangered?
No. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G5, Secure, worldwide[2].
Where does the Ruffed Grouse live?
It is native in 37 US states and territories, from Alaska to Georgia[3]. It was introduced in Arkansas and Nevada[8].
What does the Ruffed Grouse eat?
Adults eat plants, seeds, fruit and insects[15]. Young birds eat mainly insects and spiders[17].
How big is a Ruffed Grouse?
It is about 43 cm (17 in) long and typically weighs 621 g[13][14].
How long does a Ruffed Grouse live?
The longest recorded lifespan is 11 years[4]. That is a record, not a typical lifespan.

Facts and sources

  1. Ruffed Grouse is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Ruffed Grouse: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Ruffed Grouse as native in 37 US states and territories: Alaska, Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North... NatureServe Explorer
  4. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 11 years. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  5. Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) is a bird in the family Phasianidae, order Galliformes. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. NatureServe lists Ruffed Grouse as introduced (not native) in: Arkansas, Nevada. NatureServe Explorer
  9. NatureServe ranks Ruffed Grouse as extirpated or possibly extirpated (SX or SH) in: the District of Columbia, Delaware, Kansas, Nebraska. NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe state ranks for Ruffed Grouse (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  11. Habitat types NatureServe records for Ruffed Grouse: Forest - hardwood, Forest - conifer, Forest - mixed, Woodland - hardwood, Woodland - conifer, Woodland - mixed, Old field, Riparian. NatureServe Explorer
  12. NatureServe notes on habitat for Ruffed Grouse. NatureServe Explorer
  13. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 43 cm (17 in). NatureServe Explorer
  14. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 621 g (21.9 oz). NatureServe Explorer
  15. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Invertivore, Herbivore, Granivore, Frugivore. NatureServe Explorer
  16. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 70% other plant material, 20% fruit, 10% invertebrates. EltonTraits 1.0
  17. NatureServe notes on food for Ruffed Grouse. NatureServe Explorer
  18. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 11. AnAge
  19. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 24 days. AnAge
  20. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 120 days (about 0.3 years). AnAge
  21. NatureServe migration category for Ruffed Grouse: non-migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  22. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Diurnal. NatureServe Explorer
  23. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Ruffed Grouse. NatureServe Explorer
  24. GBIF observation records of Ruffed Grouse in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  25. NPSpecies park lists recording Ruffed Grouse as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies
  26. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Ruffed Grouse: New York, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Vermont. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.