Aural communication in ruffed grouse

Abstract

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.