The Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus)

To early settlers, the ruffed grouse was a "fool hen" because it had no fear of man and could be easily killed. Today, it is one of Pennsylvania's cagiest birds. The ruffed grouse, sometimes called the partridge, was declared the state bird by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1931.

This grouse's scientific name "umbellus" refers to the pair of umbel, or umbrella-like, patches of black neck feathers that are held outward during courtship displays.

A good place to see our state bird is the Crawford Reserve in Venango County, where WPC holds a recreational easement on thousands of acres of land in the Hemlock Creek watershed. In the center of the state, State Game Lands No. 176 near State College is another location where this bird thrives.

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