Spruce Grouse live in the coniferous forests of Canada and the northern United States where they eat the needles and buds of Spruce and other coniferous trees.
They are dark, thick-bodied birds (15-17 in) with bold white lines on the chest and belly, a red comb above the eyes, and a white semi-circle below it.
Ruffed Grouse have a pale tail with a dark band near the tip and prefer deciduous forests. Blue Grouse (Dusky Grouse found in the Rockies and Sooty Grouse found on the west coast) are both larger.
Did you know? Spruce Grouse can store up to 10% of their body weight in food in their crop to digest overnight.
See Also: Blue Grouse, Greater Sage-Grouse, Ruffed Grouse, Sharp-tailed Grouse
Hard - can be difficult to spot.
They may be few in number or not readily visible
(for example, underground).
Forests are large areas of trees growing close
together.