The bird of the day is the ruffed grouse. I was walking past some feeders today when I heard a relatively large bird fly past me and land in a nearby aspen tree. It proceeded to start eating the numerous buds coming out of the branches.
The ruffed grouse is one of two grouse species common to the Gunflint Trail. Spruce grouse also live on the Gunflint Trail. The ruffed grouse is often lighter colored, has a mohawk-like crest, and drums with its' wings to attract a mate. Spruce grouse are generally darker colored, and the males have rufous-tipped tail feathers, and a red spot superior to the eye.
1. Ruffed Grouse
2. Northern Shrike
3. Red-breasted Nuthatch
4. Black-capped Chickadee
5. Common Redpoll
6. Hoary Redpoll
7. Common Grackle
8. European Starling
9. Bald Eagle
10. Blue Jay
11. Canada jay
12. American Crow
13. Raven
14. Pine Grosbeak
15. Dark-Eyed Junco
