Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) Brood Microhabitat Selection in the Southern Appalachians

Behaviour and nesting ecology of Appalachian Ruffed Grouse (<em>Bonasa umbellus</em>)

“…mammalian predators destroyed 4 of 18 (22%) nests monitored during our study. this level of depredation was within the range observed throughout the Ruffed Grouse range (16-41%; Bump et al 1947;Johnsgard and maxson 1989;Rusch 1989;haulton 1999;dobony et al 2001;larson et al 2001). depredation was also within documented ranges of other grouse species (16-67%; Boag et al 1984;Ritchie et al 1994;Grisham et al 2014).…”

Ruffed grouse brood habitat use in a mixed hardwood forest: Implications for forest management in the Appalachians

“…Bump et al (1947) realized the relationship between habitat and chick survival and suggested brood habitat quality ultimately determines an area's reproductive potential. Studies in the Appalachian region also highlight the importance of cover and invertebrates in managing ruffed grouse brood habitat (Kimmel and Samuel, 1984;Haulton et al, 2003;Tirpak et al, 2005).…”

Reproductive success and habitat selection of sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) in the Peace River region, northeast British Columbia.

“…Haulton (1999) and Schroeder (1997) reported similar issues in estimating chick survival of ruffed grouse and sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianellus), respectively. Bergerud (1988a) stated that average survival of gallinaceous offspring from hatching to independence was 56%, further suggesting that prairie grouse show similar rates of chick survival to the forest or tundra grouse species.…”

“…The first 14 days after hatching are the most critical for precocial offspring (Bergerud 1988a, Myrberget 1988, Guyn and Clark 1999, Gendron and Clark 2002. Brood mortality and complete loss of sharp-tailed grouse broods was greatest during the first 7 days post-hatching during the first 7 days, accounting for 42% of total brood loss from hatching to independence (Haulton 1999). Similarly, 77% of mortality of mallard broods occurred before 8 days of age, and daily survival rates of broods were 8 times greater for broods older than 7 days compared to broods less than 1 week old (Hoekman et al 2004).…”

“…Bergerud (1988a) stated that average survival of gallinaceous offspring from hatching to independence was 56%, further suggesting that prairie grouse show similar rates of chick survival to the forest or tundra grouse species. In a study of ruffed grouse, chicks averaged only 11 to 13% survival to 35 days of age (Haulton 1999). Survival o f offspring of willow grouse (Lagopus lagopus lagopus) to 4 weeks of age was approximately 50% (Myrberget 1988); whereas chick survival of gray partridge (Perdix perdix) ranged from 42 to 71% over 3 years in Poland (Panek 1992).…”