grouse?? (1 Viewer)

[MontanaOspreyCam]

I just took these pictures in my back yard (8/13/11 around noon) near Missoula Montana (in the Rockies). I first thought it was a Ruffed Grouse when the dogs started barking at her (don't worry, they are fenced in)....but after looking closer at it I am not so sure anymore.

These pictures are the same bird. One with her hiding in the grass and one of her running up the hill side after I startled her. Any ideas?? Is it a Dusky Grouse??

Thanks for the help!

 

[BirdingDoc]

I shall be very interested in the opinions of others. I spent some time in the Bitterroot Valley south of Missoula in May, searching for various grassland birds, and all I came up with were pictures of what I think are female Ring-necked Pheasants. Your bird has a remarkable semblance to my photos. But I have no expertise in these birds, so my opinion doesn't count.
Charles

 

[Muddy Turnstone]

I shall be very interested in the opinions of others. I spent some time in the Bitterroot Valley south of Missoula in May, searching for various grassland birds, and all I came up with were pictures of what I think are female Ring-necked Pheasants. Your bird has a remarkable semblance to my photos. But I have no expertise in these birds, so my opinion doesn't count.
Charles

I'm not so aware of the American species, so I can't ID your bird, but it's absolutly a grouse, and no Ring-necked Pheasant...

/Rasmus

 

[Bird Hard 2]

The dark band (or 'ruff') at the base of its neck identifies it as Ruffed Grouse.

 

[Robin Edwards]

Blue Grouse perhaps ?

 

[MontanaOspreyCam]

hmmmm.....I wasn't really thinking pheasant....more like a grouse to me.

What about a Spruce grouse?? The reasons I don't think it is a Ruffed Grouse (although they are common in my area) is that it looked larger in body, the crest looked small and was barely showing and the neck seemed to extend fairly far......not sure though.

 

[fugl]

Ruffed Grouse. In addition to the "ruff" note the long neck.