friendly ruffed grouse...?

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The Hasbroucks

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Jan 29, 2021, 3:22:17 PM1/29/21
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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

chr...@myfairpoint.net

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Jan 29, 2021, 4:05:00 PM1/29/21
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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.

David Gulick

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Jan 31, 2021, 10:43:57 AM1/31/21
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Many years ago, my wife and I went to see a home in Boothbay. As we entered the long gravel drive, a grouse appeared and excitedly greeted our car. The grouse accompanied our car very closely actually leading us up to the house. And then it stayed with us closely and enthusiastically as we got out of the car and walked around. Utterly surprising behavior. We did not know what to think. Although I don’t really remember, we probably attributed it to the owner of the house feeding the grouse. It certainly made an impression on us.


Sent from my iphone with auto incorrect activated :-)

Jennifer Cummings

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Jan 31, 2021, 10:52:26 AM1/31/21
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Similar behavior in a quail written in a book called That Quail Robert. About a quail that adopted a family in Cape cod.  Charming book.

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Jennifer

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Boots.

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Jan 31, 2021, 11:21:12 AM1/31/21
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Tammy Packie

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Feb 2, 2021, 3:23:06 PM2/2/21
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One of my favorite books when I was a young birder! I did not realize that Doug was the author! I will have to check to see if we still have a copy in our library.
Tammy

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Tammy Packie

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Feb 2, 2021, 3:24:33 PM2/2/21
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The book I read was written by Margaret Stranger. T

Jennifer Cummings

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Feb 2, 2021, 3:32:40 PM2/2/21
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That’s it!

Jennifer Cummings
Full Circle Landscaping

On Feb 2, 2021, at 3:24 PM, Tammy Packie <tpa...@gmail.com> wrote:


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