Glacier National Park (1 Viewer)

I saw this weekend a chicken sized bird hiking near Bowman Lake in the thick forest. These birds (about 6 of them) had absolutely no fear of humans. These birds were mostly brown feathered w/ some black streaks throughout their bodies. They were only on the forest floor and were leaping up to grab berries from the low lying bushes. They showed no inclination to fly when we were in touching distance and continued on their quest for berries as if we were not there. It appeared as if their feathers ran all the way down to their talons. Can anyone tell me what kind of bird this is?

Thanks
Bob

I would suggest Ruffed Grouse as a possibility. They certainly occur in Glacier NP (that's where I first saw the species). Try this photo, and note also the comments underneath concerning behaviour.
http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/showphoto.php/photo/67101/sort/1/cat/all/page/1

Stuart

I thought of Spruce Grouse and White-tailed Ptarmigan. Spruce Grouse commonly act oblivious to people. (they tell me, I've not found one yet!)

Here's a link to some photos of White-tailed Ptarmigan .

Here's a link to Spruce Grouse

Dave B Smith said:

I thought of Spruce Grouse and White-tailed Ptarmigan. Spruce Grouse commonly act oblivious to people. (they tell me, I've not found one yet!)

Here's a link to some photos of White-tailed Ptarmigan .

Here's a link to Spruce Grouse

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It's hard to identify a forest grouse from a physical description but as Dave points out, the behavior is typical of Spruce Grouse.

Dave: spruce grouse are failrly common in Kanananaskis Country just standing on the edge of any fire road or trail, especially if there is any slope. I've hiked right by them and they will hold their own. The males, when defending a territory, can be down right nasty. The roughed grouse are more secretive and either run away or stand tall and still like a statue until you pass. I've never seen enough blue grouse to krecognize any behavior they might have.

cayoncreekman said:

Dave: spruce grouse are fairly common in Kanananaskis Country just standing on the edge of any fire road or trail, especially if there is any slope. I've hiked right by them and they will hold their own.

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They keep telling me that . We hiked up to Ptarmigan Cirque last weekend. Saw the Highwood Pass Herd of Bighorn Sheep, lots of groundsquirrels and a Pika, and 3 young White-tailed Ptarmigans, but no Spruce Grouse. I'll keep looking.

Dave B Smith said:

They keep telling me that . We hiked up to Ptarmigan Cirque last weekend. Saw the Highwood Pass Herd of Bighorn Sheep, lots of groundsquirrels and a Pika, and 3 young White-tailed Ptarmigans, but no Spruce Grouse. I'll keep looking.

Click to expand...

Don't tell anyone but I've never seen a Ptarmigan at Ptarmigan Cirque.

A fun but bit strenuous hike is to follow the creek about a half km the opposite direction from the Ptarmigan Cirque parking area and then head up the slopes. Just pick any spot that looks like you can go up. There's a series of flat areas every few hundred feet of altitude and bull Elk and big R.M. Sheep rams and Grizzlies use them as natural 'hiways' above the valley. You can also use these yourself and get quite a view of the cirque across or even views to the West in B.C. if you keep going up. the rock ledges look precarious from below but aren't bad when you're up to them. It's a bit of a grind but well worth it.

This photo from above 'might' work.

oops. Small photo for such a 'big' view.