Tame Grouse -

Follow Lisa Williams, Pennsylvania Game Commission Ruffed Grouse Biologist, to visit with a "tame" grouse. Discover that tame grouse are not really tame, and the theories behind why they act the way they do. Join us in this comical exploration of some very odd wildlife behavior.
Cinematography / Editing: Tracy A. Graziano
Cinematography: Hal Korber
Female Grouse photo courtesy of: Mike Stone
Series Music: "Timeless" by Simon Stockhausen, GEMA; Licensed through stockmusic.net
Special Thanks To: Dana & Joanadell Collins, The Myers Family, Todd Raible, John Salapak, and Mike & Ed Tarconish
#ruffedgrouse #tamegrouse #grouse #wildlife #nature #science #birds #gamebird #statebird #pagamecommission #pgc #pennsylvania #pennsylvaniagamecommission #WildSciPA #strangebehavior #Bonasaumbellus #4k #4kvideo #4kresolution #sciencenaturefilm

[@artemis4661]

Great stuff! Thank you Lisa for risking life and limb to show us a side of nature not all get to see.

[@PAGameCommissionHDQTRS]

Lisa is such a talented biologist. We are so fortunate to have her at PGC! Thanks for watching!

[@emeadowsGIS]

This was great.

[@VonFej61]

Nature is cool!

[@davidgroff3355]

I have had 2 of these in last 5 years on my land, currently have one , this one is very calm friendly,

[@robyale4298]

Great video thanks

[@MichaelKensinger]

The phenomenon does not just occur in the spring. I know of two Ruffed Grouse in Centre County that display this behavior in autumn. Of course, this coincided with drumming by several other grouse in the area - I imagine spring and fall can feel similar to a male grouse. I just photographed one yesterday! It will make wonderful reference material for my wildlife art.

[@chriscranston1646]

A few times a week, I walk part way up a ski trail at an old closed alpine ski area. For the last couple of years, every time I walk up I'm met by a ruffed grouse (we call them partridge here in Vermont). I'm not sure if he or she is being territorial but he walks right up to me just about every time. Sometimes I walk down a different trail and the bird has actually flown over to meet me. And season doesn't seem to matter.

[@craigjochum5655]

Thanks for all you do for upland birds. We met last fall when you were catching woodcock up in 219. I had a similar grouse around my home several years ago. The grouse would follow me around like a dog when I went for walks. It did this for several years during the warmer seasons. About 20 yards is as close as it would get. If I was bowhunting it would scratch around in the leaves near my stand, and hang out till dark. Loved ever minute of watching it.

[@PAGameCommissionHDQTRS]

Most people don't get the opportunity you have had. It sure makes for great memories to share!

[@markpaul-ym5wg]

I have encoutered one of these cocky birds back in 2008 in the mountains of overton county,tennessee.

[@markissboi3583]

Legend has it that Grouse followed them home .

[@nancyhaun]

I am in Michigans Upper Peninsula and had a similia interaction today except my bird was friendly and did not exhibit any unfriendly actions at all.

[@johnthorpe1071]

Great video Lisa! Back in the 80's we had one of those, it used to attack/come to the sound of our Chevy diesel car. Also, would roost in our trees and fly down and hit our shoulders, attack us (like this one attacked you) when we walked in our yard, attacked our Beagle, rode on tractor boom of a friend. Stayed a long time (even through the hunting season and I am a Grouse hunter). We called "him" "Mr. Grouse"! "He" sure entertained us and the Kids. Thanks.

[@scottc.real_2legit_4u55]

This is such an amazing video I shared it to all my friends. These kinds of videos show and explain how fragile and precious our nature truly is. Disturbing the balance of breeding can seriously jeopardize the future of these beautiful animals. I hope everyone gains a better understanding and respect for nature through these videos. Thank You and Peace to All!

[@PAGameCommissionHDQTRS]

Thank you for watching and for sharing, Scott! Stay safe out there!

[@mulletsince9212]

I came across one in PA that would follow me around and would slightly charge at my boots last spring while on a hike. I didnt see it when i went back in July. Ill be heading up there in a few weeks.

[@tonymorales4554]

Thank you for making this beautiful video

[@PAGameCommissionHDQTRS]

Glad you liked it!

[@mbahbendil]

The loyal audience from Indonesia is always there, friends

[@veng3r663]

Heh Spearows ain't got nothing on these little bundles of fury... :P

[@cantgetenoughoutdoors3258]

I love my PGC!🦅🦃

[@PAGameCommissionHDQTRS]

Thanks for watching!

[@seasickmike1604]

UFC champion grouse lol

[@roadsgt97]

I like to know how you stumbled accross this grouse with all your camera equipment in tow. Interesting

[@PAGameCommissionHDQTRS]

Hi Lester! Thank you for your curiosity! Several years ago we placed an inquiry in our publication: Game News. We asked our readers to call in and report "tame" grouse to the agency so that we could record this episode. Thanks for watching!

[@jackmahogoff3599]

I have one on my property that has been acting tame since June. He has gotten to the point he won't leave me alone hunting and wants me to hold him.

[@PAGameCommissionHDQTRS]

You are quite lucky! Most people never see a "tame" grouse or get to experience them for the length of time you are describing. Due to their behavior, they just don't seem to survive as long.

[@HONDAMeskin123]

How do you find these I’ve always wanted to see one, and a loon

[@PAGameCommissionHDQTRS]

Hi JMagana! Several years ago we placed an inquiry in our publication: Game News. We asked our readers to call in and report "tame" grouse to the agency so that we could record this episode. Thanks for watching!

[@richardleahew3201]

Looks like a red ruff

[@PAGameCommissionHDQTRS]

Thanks for watching, Richard! There is a red in this film, as well as a brown and a cinnamon! We were lucky to find three color phases during our exploration of "tame" grouse thought out the state.

[@ngn_vetpath]

I am wondering if this bird is going to exhibit the same behaviour against a fox or a wolf?

[@mikekarpiak5286]

No or they wouldn’t survive long. I had a grouse on the rail of my tree stand walking around making noise when he suddenly stopped and froze for 5 minutes. He was watching a fox as it walked by and didn’t move until the fox was out of sight.

[@jenniferphelps232]

This is one of the best! He thinks he ran you off! That's so cute! I'll bet it wouldn't be cute if he really got upset! I'm sure if they attack seriously they could tear up your hands, don't get your face too close huh? Thanks for sharing!