Male Ruffed Grouse Research Articles

Automated recognition of ruffed grouse drumming in field recordings

AbstractRuffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) populations are declining throughout their range, which has prompted efforts to understand drivers of the decline. Ruffed grouse monitoring efforts often rely on acoustic drumming surveys, in which a surveyor listens for the distinctive drumming sound that male ruffed grouse produce during the breeding season. Field‐based drumming surveys can fail to detect ruffed grouse when the birds drum infrequently or irregularly, making this species an excellent candidate for remote acoustic sensing with automated recording units (ARUs). An accurate automated recognition method for ruffed grouse drumming could enable effective and efficient use of ARU data for monitoring efforts; however, no such tool is currently available. Here we develop an automated method for detecting ruffed grouse drumming in audio recordings. Our detector uses a signal processing pipeline designed to recognize the accelerating pattern of drumming. We show that the automated recognition method accurately and efficiently detects drumming events in a set of labeled ARU field recordings. In a case study with 56 locations in Central Pennsylvania, we compared detections of ruffed grouse from 4 survey methods: field‐based acoustic drumming surveys, surveys conducted by humans listening to ARU recordings, and automated recognition for both a 1‐day and a 28‐day period. Field‐based surveys detected drumming at 9 of 56 locations (16%), while surveys conducted by humans listening to ARU recordings detected drumming at 8 locations (14%). Using automated recognition, the 1‐day recording period produced detections at 17 locations (30%) and the 28‐day recording period produced detections at 34 locations (61%). Our case study supports the idea that automated recognition can unlock the value of ARU datasets by temporally expanding the survey period. We provide an open‐source Python implementation of the recognition method to support further use in ruffed grouse monitoring efforts.

Characterization of Avian Pox in a Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) from Pennsylvania.

A free-ranging, adult male ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) was harvested by a hunter during November 2019 in Forest County, PA. The bird was submitted for necropsy due to a skin mass on its left leg. Upon necropsy, two proliferative skin masses were grossly visible, one on the left leg and one on the cere. An additional mass was present on the oropharyngeal mucosa covering the hard palate. These masses were diagnosed as avian pox based on histopathologic and cytologic findings, including marked epithelial hypertrophy, hyperplasia, vacuolar degeneration with eosinophilic stippling, and intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies. An avipoxvirus was detected using PCR and was identified as fowlpox virus through sequencing of the 4b core gene segment. The avipoxvirus from this case showed genetic similarity to isolates from Eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris).

Courtship display speed varies daily and with body size in the Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus)

AbstractCourtship displays are typically comprised of the same behavioral pattern, or patterns, repeated several times by males. Both the quantity and quality of the displays produced by a given male bird are not, however, constant. The number and/or quality of displays can decrease over time, indicating fatigue, or males can increase the number and/or quality as they display more, indicating a warm‐up period. Although there is evidence for fatigue or warm‐up periods for many types of courtship displays, data on motor components of avian courtship are scant, despite how commonly they are used. Here, we test whether drumming, a non‐vocal motor display, in male ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) changes in relation to the number of displays executed. Using a large number of recordings, our linear mixed models yielded a significant effect of cumulative number of drumming displays on the number of wingbeats per second, referred to as pulse rate. Across males, pulse rate is slowest when males begin drumming each day and increases until approximately 50 drumming displays have been produced. The rate of increase is also modulated by the nighttime low temperature such that cooler conditions are associated with lower pulse rates and a slower increase in pulse rate relative to the cumulative number of displays. Further, the maximum pulse rate recorded and average pulse rate after 50 displays is inversely correlated with body mass such that larger males are slower than smaller males. We suggest that the daily changes in pulse rate likely reflect a warm‐up period based upon the effects of cumulative drumming count and temperature on pulse rate. Whether these dynamic changes in the production of a motor display are informative to female grouse is unknown. However, we propose that daily changes in how motor displays are performed may be a common feature of avian courtship that has gone relatively unnoticed, despite the potential for motor performance to be a trait that is important for female mate choice.

Fooled by a fool hen: male Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) courts a female Spruce Grouse (Falcipennis canadensis)

Hybridization is relatively common in galliforms. In many cases, these hybrids are thought to arise through failures in species recognition, but there are no documented observations of this occurring in the wild. On 1 May 2013, I observed a male Ruffed Grouse (Bonasaumbellus) engage in a courtship display directed toward a female Spruce Grouse (Falcipennis canadensis). This is the first documented case of mistaken species recognition by a Ruffed Grouse and reveals 2 novel aspects of their behavior: the sound of wing flapping might be used to localize conspecifics, and males can be prone to directing courtship toward other species.

Summertime resource selection and reproductive effects on survival of Ruffed Grouse

ABSTRACT Theory suggests that animals should select resources on the basis of perceived fitness benefits, and avoid other available resources that may result in fitness costs. However, resource selection is both a scale- and a life-stage-specific process, in which the importance of different resources may vary among spatial scales of selection and phases of species' life cycles. We investigated multilevel resource selection and summer survival of Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) in Maine, USA, to understand life-stage-specific resource selection and the cost of brood rearing. At the landscape level, male Ruffed Grouse selected areas with greater densities of woody stems taller than breast height, while females avoided these areas and selected areas with greater ground coverage by Rubus. Males further selected areas with greater stem densities at the local level, while females again avoided areas with greater stem densities and selected locally available areas with greater ground coverage by Rubus. Weekly s...

Behavioural responses of male ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus, L.) to playbacks of drumming displays

AbstractBirds use a variety of sounds in their courtship displays, but the majority of behavioural studies have focused on vocalizations. In contrast, little is known about how non‐vocal sounds, or sonations, are used, even though many avian species produce them. The ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) is a useful species to examine non‐vocal sounds because they lack vocal components in their courtship and rely on a non‐vocal sound to attract mates and defend their territory. Their courtship display, known as “drumming,” is created by the wings, and the number of pulses and speed (pulse rate) varies significantly among males. Anecdotal evidence suggested that males can affect the drumming behaviour of neighbouring males in drumming “duels” in an analogous way to song contests. Here, we test whether males do respond to the playback of drumming sounds of an unfamiliar male. Using a portable speaker system, we played recordings of drumming displays to males that were actively drumming themselves. Throughout each playback, we recorded the drumming behaviour of target males so that we could assess whether drumming activity changes following a playback as well as whether males change the speed of their display. Overall, male grouse were equally likely to approach the speaker or continue drumming following a playback. For those males that continued drumming, their drumming pulse rate was significantly faster following playbacks, but they drummed less often. These results indicate that male ruffed grouse do respond to drumming sounds, but the specific response differs among males. Because the differential response was not related to colour phase or whether a male was drumming in proximity to other males, we suggest that the response of individuals likely varies with other traits, such as hormone levels or behavioural syndrome.

Display Behavior of Male Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) In Two Key Cover Types In Minnesota

ABSTRACT Mechanisms underlying habitat use in most species are poorly understood. Therefore, we integrated behavioral and forest cover type data to test hypotheses underlying the choice of two key cover types used by male Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) in northern Minnesota, USA. Forests of aspen (Populus spp.) are the presumptive highest quality cover type for Ruffed Grouse because this bird species achieves its highest breeding densities in this cover type. Yet, males select cover types of conifer even when nearby cover types of aspen remain vacant. We examined this conundrum – selection of inferior cover types when presumed better types are available – by randomly selecting 23 male Ruffed Grouse from among a contiguous population of territorial males and used automated video systems to monitor their breeding display behavior. We predicted that if conifer cover types were indeed inferior habitat for Ruffed Grouse, males that established territories in these cover types would either drum (auditory displ...

Selection of landscapes by male ruffed grouse during peak abundance

We studied the habitat relationships of male ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) at the landscape scale when grouse were at the peak of their population cycle. We located 290 and 230 male grouse during 2009 and 2010, respectively, on 30 landscapes encompassing 5,349 ha. We used an information-theoretic model selection approach to examine 2 sets of a priori models. We designed our first model set to evaluate the relationships between Shannon's evenness index of cover types and grouse density and our second set to evaluate other relationships between grouse density and landscape configuration. The top model in the first set was a null model (intercepts only), but a competing model indicated that Shannon's evenness index was positively correlated with male grouse density (r = 0.43). Shannon's evenness index was confounded with cover type dominance in landscapes because it was positively correlated (r = 0.55) with the proportion of the aspen cover type and negatively correlated (r = −0.79) with the proportion of the conifer cover type. The top-ranked model from our second model set included only year and road density. Road density was negatively related to grouse density (r = −0.34), which could mean either hunting pressure along roads affected density or cover types were different in landscapes with greater road densities. The year-only model indicated that male grouse density was less in 2010 than in 2009 (βyear = −0.014, 95% CI = −0.024 to −0.005). We predict that forest management practices that result in an even distribution of cover types within landscapes should result in greater densities of grouse. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.

Aromatase expression in the brain of the ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) and comparisons with other galliform birds (Aves, Galliformes)

The enzyme aromatase is important for regulating sexual and aggressive behaviors during the reproductive season, including many aspects of courtship. In birds, aromatase is expressed at high levels in a number of different brain regions. Although this expression does vary among species, the extent to which the distribution of aromatase positive cells reflects species differences in courtship and other behaviors is not well established. Here, we examine the distribution of aromatase immunoreactive (ARO) neurons in the brain of a species with a unique courtship display, the ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus). Unlike most other galliforms, male ruffed grouse do not vocalize as part of their courtship and instead use their wings to create a non-vocal auditory signal to attract females. Because aromatase is involved in courtship behaviors in several bird species, including other galliforms, we hypothesized that aromatase distribution in the ruffed grouse would differ from that of other galliforms. We used an antibody raised against quail aromatase to examine aromatase immunoreactivity in the ruffed grouse, the closely related spruce grouse (Falcipennis canadensis) and the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). In all three species, ARO neurons were identified in the medial preoptic nucleus, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and the nucleus ventromedialis hypothalami. Both grouse species had ARO neurons in two regions of the telencephalon, the hyperpallium, and entopallium, and the ruffed grouse also in field L. ARO neurons were only found in one region in the telencephalon of the Japanese quail, the septum. In general, breeding male ruffed grouse had significantly more ARO neurons and those neurons were larger than that of both the non-breeding male and female ruffed grouse. Aromatase expression in the telencephalon of the ruffed grouse suggests that steroid hormones might modulate responses to visual and acoustic stimuli, but how this relates to species differences in courtship displays and co-expression with estrogenic receptors is yet to be determined.

Temporal and Spectral Analyses Reveal Individual Variation in a Non‐Vocal Acoustic Display: The Drumming Display of the Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus, L.)

AbstractIndividual variation in vocalizations is a common feature of many forms of long‐distance communication in vertebrates. The extent to which individual variation occurs in non‐vocal, long‐distance acoustic communication has not, however, been tested. Here, we examine the spectral and temporal characteristics of a non‐vocal acoustic signal, the wing‐beating drumming display of the male Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus, L.), and test whether its structure varies more among individuals than within them. Drumming displays were recorded over two field seasons, and we measured several temporal and spectral features of these recordings. Each drumming display consists of 39–50 pulses produced over a period of 9–10 s with most of the energy concentrated at frequencies below 100 Hz. We calculated the potential for individual coding of several temporal and spectral features, and both the number of pulses and pulse rate were highly individually specific. This was corroborated by analyses of variance, bivariate plots of pulse number and rate, and discriminant function analyses. Overall, we conclude that male Ruffed Grouse produce individually specific drumming displays in a similar fashion to vocal individuality in other birds. The extent to which these individual differences persist from one season to the next is unclear, but individual differences in the number of pulses and pulse rate could provide information on individual identity to conspecifics.

Multiscale Habitat Selection by Ruffed Grouse at Low Population Densities

Abstract. Theory suggests habitats should be chosen according to their relative evolutionary benefits and costs. It has been hypothesized that aspen (Populus spp.) forests provide optimal habitat for Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus). We used the low phase of a grouse population's cycle to assess the prediction that grouse should occupy aspen and avoid other forest types at low population density because of the presumptive fitness benefits of aspen. On the basis of our observations, we predict how the Ruffed Grouse population will increase in different forest types during the next cycle. In conifer (Pinus spp., Abies balsamea, Picea spp.)-dominated and mixed aspen—conifer landscapes, grouse densities were highest where forest types were evenly distributed. Within these landscapes, male Ruffed Grouse selected young aspen stands that were large and round or square. Although Ruffed Grouse selected young aspen stands strongly, contrary to prediction, they also used other forest types even when young aspen stand...

Ruffed Grouse Bonasa umbellus habitat selection in a spatially complex forest: evidence for spatial constraints on patch selection

Drumming display sites of male Ruffed Grouse Bonasa umbellus serve as activity centres and occur in a variety of forest types and age classes. We used a case‐control study design and model selection to evaluate a set of predictions about habitat constraints placed upon Grouse given the habitat where their breeding season activity centres were located. We located 110 individual Grouse activity centres near Cloquet, Minnesota, between 2002 and 2005, and 40 activity centres at two other sites in northern Minnesota in 2005. Our most parsimonious model indicated that Ruffed Grouse used logs more than other potential drumming structures (e.g. stumps, dirt mounds or roots) and sites with a higher density of shrubs as compared with unused sites. Predicted values from this model correlated with observed values from independently sampled areas. Structures used by Grouse for their drumming display were characterized by a greater density of aspen stems than unused sites when in young aspen and mature pine, but not when in other forest types. The patterns of habitat selection that we observed supported predictions (1) that the differences in habitats at larger spatial scales (e.g. forest stands or breeding territories) may impose certain constraints on specific sites selected for their drumming display, and (2) that some of these constraints may vary by forest type.

Response of breeding male Ruffed Grouse, Bonasa umbellus, to playbacks of drumming recordings

Response of breeding male Ruffed Grouse, Bonasa umbellus, to playbacks of drumming recordings

Home range and habitat use of male ruffed grouse in managed mixed oak and aspen forests

Ruffed grouse ( Bonasa umbellus) occupy many areas of the eastern and southeastern United States where oak ( Quercus sp.) is the dominant forest type. However, most research on grouse habitat requirements and populations has taken place in Lake States aspen ( Populus sp.) forests. We captured and radiotagged male grouse to determine spring and summer home range sizes and habitat use on a 1120 ha experimental forest management area in central Pennsylvania. The dominant forest types were aspen-black cherry and mixed oak. The management area was divided into two sections, one which was managed with a short-rotation clearcutting scheme and one that was left unmanaged. Breeding season and summer home ranges of male ruffed grouse were similar to those observed in the Midwest (5.0–9.4 ha), and did not appear to differ between managed and unmanaged habitats. However, habitats used differed between the managed and unmanaged areas. Male grouse on the managed area used aspen-black cherry and mixed oak sapling stands more than expected during both the breeding season and summer. Pole-sized and sawtimber aspen stands in the unmanaged area were used more than expected during breeding and summer seasons. Male ruffed grouse avoided mixed oak sawtimber stands, which comprised 62% and 47% of the available habitat in the unmanaged area and managed area, respectively. Our results demonstrated that southern mixed oak stands can be managed effectively for ruffed grouse with small (1 ha) clearcuts.

Ruffed Grouse Drumming Site Characteristics in Ohio

Physical, site, and vegetational characteristics associated with logs used by male ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus monticola) were analyzed to identify occupancy parameters. Perennial activity centers contained nearly 3 times as much brushland and heavily cut woodland as transient centers. Density of shrubs and small trees was greater (P < 0.05) around logs showing continuous use and those with recent use than around logs that had been abandoned and those sporadically used. Mean occupancy length of logs in perennial centers was 16.5 months, longer (P < 0.01) than for logs in transient centers (5 = 10.9 months). The drumming log appeared relatively unimportant in the selection process. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 43(2):324-333 Courtship behavior of male ruffed grouse includes selection, usually for life, of forested areas ranging from 4 to 12 or more hectares (Palmer 1963, Gullion 1967). These areas have been commonly termed activity centers (Gullion 1967:88, Lewis et al. 1968, Porath and Vohs 1972). Within activity centers, an object or objects, usually a log, on the forest floor are selected for drumming. These sites serve as the focal point of spring courtship activity. Physical characteristics of the drumming platform are generally not considered important (Gullion 1967:95, Boag and Sumanik 1969:626). Density, size, canopy coverage, and type of vegetation immediately around the log are considered important (Palmer 1963, Boag and Sumanik 1969, Boag 1976). The importance of drumming log location relative to topography is unclear. In Missouri (Lewis et al. 1968:25) and Indiana (Muehrcke and Kirkpatrick 1970:183), male grouse preferred logs at higher elevations. Studies in Iowa (Porath and Vohs 1972) and Alberta (Boag and Sumanik 1969), made little mention of location relative to topography. Importance of general cover types in which logs are located is unclear, perhaps due to differing vegetative conditions over the range of ruffed grouse. In New York, Bump et al. (1947:280) reported that drumming logs usually were found in woodland cover and associated with conifers, where possible. In Wisconsin, Dorney (1959) found that conifers, and northern hardwoods were used less than aspen-birch, swamp hardwoods, and lowland brush types. Gullion and Marshall (1968:137) reported that grouse in Minnesota survived best in the hardwood-brush type devoid of conifers. Traditional use of certain sites has been reported, but the specific important qualities have not been identified (Palmer 1963:663, Gullion 1967:95). In Ohio, some habitat qualities influencing use of particular drumming sites were unclear. To our knowledge no attempt has been made to compare the physical and vegetative characteristics of activity centers and drumming logs receiving traditional or sporadic use. Also, the use associated durations of occupanI Deceased. 324 J. Wildl. Manage. 43(2):1979 This content downloaded from 157.55.39.132 on Thu, 15 Sep 2016 04:54:05 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms RUFFED GROUSE DRUMMING SITES IN OHIO Stoll et al. 325 cy by male grouse have not been assessed. From 1969 to 1977 we attempted to identify factors important in traditional use by ruffed grouse in Ohio by comparing habitat parameters associated with activity centers and logs receiving traditional or sporadic use. We gratefully acknowledge C. Nixon, J. Davis, C. McKibben, J. Ely, M. Moser, R. Donohoe, and K. Laub for constructive suggestions and field assistance. This paper is a contribution from Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Project, Ohio W105-R.

Influence of changing grouse density and forest attributes on the occupancy of a series of potential territories by male ruffed grouse

The history of occupancy of 117 territories established by male ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) on a 700-ha study area in southwestern Alberta was studied over 11 years in relation to changing density of the grouse and attributes of the surrounding forest. The pattern of use of territories varied from continuous occupancy by a series of different birds over as many as 11 years to sporadic occupancy for as little as one season. These two extremes differed in that continuously occupied territories possessed numerous acceptable display sites, were located towards the center of clumps of territories, and hosted long-lived birds. By contrast, sporadically occupied territories possessed few acceptable display sites, tended to be located at the periphery of clumped territories, and hosted short-lived birds. Although the status of the vegetation around the display sites within the territory was a major factor influencing its occupancy, social interactions among the grouse also appeared to influence the history of its use.

Spatial Relationships of Neighboring Male Ruffed Grouse in Spring

Locations of five drumming male ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) were recorded with an automatic radiotracking system on the Cedar Creek Natural History Area in east-central Minnesota during spring 1970. Overlap of the ranges of 2 adjacent males was found in 17 of 23 weeks, and mutually occupied areas varied from 0 to 3.21 ha (anti chi = 0.88). Size of the overlapping area was negatively correlated with distance between activity centers and positively correlated with mean size of the two neighbors' ranges. A strong tendency was found for differential use of overlapping 0.026-ha gridsquares. Male grouse usually avoided their neighbor's side of an artificial boundary line, suggesting that real territorial boundaries may have existed. Values of an index of interaction potential (based on locations greater than or equal to 2 minutes apart) showed that adjacent males could have displayed at close quarters or fought in most (78 percent) cases. One of two vacated territories was reoccupied by an unmarked juvenile male.

Aural communication in ruffed grouse

Studies made in S. W. Alberta during the spring, 1969 and 970, showed that the primary drumming logs of male ruffed grouse were clustered in groups rather than being distributed randomly or uniformly. The sequence of drumming of a group of birds suggested that the birds were answering other drumming sounds. Some grouse drummed many more times than other, adjacent birds. These data are consistent with a previous suggestion that ruffed grouse may be a lek species. The number of wing strokes within, and the duration of, the drumming sound was variable between the same and different birds and no obvious functions for differences were found.

Use of Mist-Nets for Recapturing Radio-Equipped Blue Grouse

A mist-net was used as a mobile unit to recapture radio-instrumented blue grouse (Dendragapus obscurus). Two men positioned the net, while a third flushed grouse toward it. Five female blue grouse and their entire broods, chicks of six other broods, one incubating and one broodless female, and one adult male ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) were captured. The method enabled the recapture of specific, instrumented grouse. During 1966-67 forest grouse-pesticide studies in Montana, noose-poles (Zwickel and Bendell 1967) were effective to initially capture blue grouse for telemetry instrumentation. Additional methods became necessary to recapture specific, instrumented grouse for postspray examination and for transmitter retrieval or replacement. This paper describes the use of mist-nets to recapture instrumented grouse. R. Pillmore of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service provided valuable advice and K. Sumanik, R. Wallestad, and N. Martin provided field assistance. MATERIALS AND METHODS A 4-ply, 4-inch mesh, black nylon net designed for ducks and large shore birds was employed. It has four shelves, measures 10 x 60 ft and is quite visible. The net was stretched between two telescoping fiberglass fishing poles that were hand held. The top and bottom shelf strings were secured to the tip and bottom section of the pole with adhesive tape. The loops on the other three shelf strings were slipped onto the poles but not secured. One man located the instrumented bird 1A contribution from Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Project No. W-91-R, Montana, and Research Contract 14-16-0008-713, with the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, U. S. Department of the Interior. by telemetry and then directed the other two men to position the net. Since blue grouse normally flush downhill, the net was positioned 10-30 yards below the grouse. Grouse were then approached from uphill until flushed. Grouse that moved prior to flushing required re-positioning of the net. Although several multiple catches were made, grouse were usually captured singly. Only 3 to 5 minutes were required to set up or take down the net which was wrapped around the collapsed poles when not in use. The mist-net was purchased from the Bleitz Wildlife Foundation, Hollywood, California, at a cost of $10.00. Telescoping fiberglass poles of 12-ft length are available at sporting goods and hardware stores at a cost of about $5.00 each.

Ruffed Grouse Adrenal Weights Related to Population Density

Twenty male ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) were collected during May on six study areas for which population estimates were available, based on drumming counts. A positive correlation was shown between the ratios of adrenal weights to body weights and population density. A negative correlation was found between the ratios of the adrenal weight to body weight and the proximity of the neighboring drumming log. Evidence of crowding can be seen in the change of weight of dominant animals, especially the weight of the adrenal gland, thymus, and spleen (Christian and Davis 1966). There is little in the literature on adrenal weights in gallinaceous birds, or of a relationship of adrenal weights to population density in the field. This paper presents the latter type of data for a small but possibly indicative sample of ruffed grouse. The adrenal sample was collected in the spring of 1966 from active males on drumming sites on six study areas within a 50mile radius of Fredericton, New Brunswick. The data were used in a thesis on population dynamics of ruffed grouse by the first author in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Master of Science Degree at the University of New Brunswick. We acknowledge the assistance of Dr. J. G. Eales and T. Dick.