Ruffed grouse

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/ruffed-grouse

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Bonasa umbellus
2. What is the conservation status?Least Concern
3. What does a Ruffed Grouse sound like when it drums?The male makes a low‑frequency drumming sound on a log, like a distant engine, to attract mates and mark territory.
4. Why do Ruffed Grouse have a ruff on their neck?The ruff is a fan‑shaped black feather that the male fanned out during courtship to look impressive and help attract females.

Trophic Dynamics: The study of the feeding and predator-prey relationships within an ecosystem.
Cryptic Plumage: Feather coloration and patterns that help an animal blend in with its surroundings for camouflage.
Habitat Fragmentation: The process by which large, continuous habitats are broken down into smaller, isolated patches.