Feathered Foes: Ruffed Grouse vs Partridge

Ruffed Grouse vs Partridge: How to Identify and Hunt These Birds

If you are a bird hunter in the United States, you may have heard of ruffed grouse and partridge. But do you know the difference between these two birds? Are they the same species or different ones? How can you tell them apart and where can you find them? And most importantly, how can you hunt them successfully? In this article, we will answer these questions and more.

What are ruffed grouse and partridge?

Ruffed grouse and partridge are both medium-sized game birds that belong to the same family of Phasianidae, which includes pheasants, quails, turkeys, and chickens. However, they are not the same species. In fact, there are several species of partridge in the world, but only one species of ruffed grouse.

Ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) are native to North America and are found in forests from the Appalachian Mountains across Canada to Alaska. They are named for the black ruffs of feathers on their necks that they can raise when displaying or alarmed. They have brown, gray, or reddish plumage with dark bars or spots on their backs, wings, and tails. They also have feathers on their legs that help them survive in cold weather.

Partridge are not native to North America and were introduced from Europe or Asia. The most common species of partridge in the United States are the gray partridge (Perdix perdix), also known as Hungarian partridge or hun, and the chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar). Gray partridge are found in open fields, grasslands, and farmlands in the northern states and Canada. They have gray-brown plumage with chestnut markings on their heads, necks, and flanks. They also have a dark horseshoe-shaped patch on their bellies. Chukar partridge are found in rocky hillsides, canyons, and deserts in the western states. They have gray plumage with black-and-white bars on their sides and a black band across their eyes and throats.

How to identify ruffed grouse and partridge?

Ruffed grouse and partridge have some similarities in appearance, but they also have some distinctive features that can help you identify them. Here are some tips to tell them apart:

• Size: Ruffed grouse are larger than partridge. Ruffed grouse weigh from 450–750 g (0.99–1.65 lb), measure from 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20 in) in length and span 50–64 cm (20–25 in) across their wings. Partridge weigh from 300–500 g (0.66–1.10 lb), measure from 28 to 35 cm (11 to 14 in) in length and span 45–50 cm (18–20 in) across their wings.
• Shape: Ruffed grouse have a rounder body shape than partridge. Ruffed grouse have a short neck, a small head, a fan-shaped tail, and a crest on their head. Partridge have a longer neck, a larger head, a pointed tail, and no crest on their head.
• Color: Ruffed grouse have a more varied coloration than partridge. Ruffed grouse can be brown, gray, or reddish with dark bars or spots on their backs, wings, and tails. They also have black ruffs on their necks that they can raise or lower. Partridge are mostly gray-brown with chestnut markings on their heads, necks, and flanks. They also have distinctive patterns on their bellies or faces.
• Leg feathers: Ruffed grouse have feathers on their legs that help them survive in cold weather. Partridge do not have feathers on their legs.

Where to find ruffed grouse and partridge?

Ruffed grouse and partridge live in different habitats and regions of the United States. Here are some tips to find them:

• Ruffed grouse: Ruffed grouse are found in forests from the Appalachian Mountains across Canada to Alaska. They prefer young forests with a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees, dense understory, and abundant food sources such as berries, buds, seeds, insects, and worms. They also need openings or edges where they can sunbathe, dust-bathe, and display. Ruffed grouse are most abundant in the Great Lakes region, New England, and the northern Rockies. They are estimated to number about 11 million in the United States.
• Partridge: Partridge are found in open fields, grasslands, farmlands, rocky hillsides, canyons, and deserts in the northern and western states. They prefer habitats with low vegetation, scattered shrubs or trees, and abundant food sources such as seeds, grains, insects, and green shoots. They also need cover or escape routes where they can hide from predators or fly away. Gray partridge are most abundant in the Midwest and northern plains. They are estimated to number about 2 million in the United States. Chukar partridge are most abundant in the intermountain west and southwest. They are estimated to number about 1 million in the United States.

How to hunt ruffed grouse and partridge?

Ruffed grouse and partridge are challenging and rewarding game birds to hunt. They are fast-flying, elusive, and wary of hunters. They also have different behaviors and habits that require different hunting strategies. Here are some tips to hunt them successfully:

• Ruffed grouse: Ruffed grouse are mostly solitary or found in small groups of two or three. They are active throughout the day but tend to feed more in the morning and evening. They usually walk or run on the ground but will flush when disturbed or threatened. They can fly up to 40 mph (64 km/h) for short distances but often land within 100 yards (91 m) of where they took off. They also make drumming sounds with their wings to attract mates or defend territories.

To hunt ruffed grouse, you need a good shotgun with a modified or improved cylinder choke and #6 or #7 1/2 shot shells. You also need a good pair of boots, a blaze orange vest or hat, and a hunting license with an upland game bird stamp. You can hunt ruffed grouse by walking slowly and quietly through their habitat, looking for signs such as tracks, droppings, feathers, or drumming logs. You can also use a dog to help you locate and flush them. You should aim at the head or neck of the bird when it flies and shoot quickly before it disappears into the cover.

• Partridge: Partridge are mostly social and found in large groups of 10 to 20 or more. They are active throughout the day but tend to feed more in the midday. They usually walk or run on the ground but will flush when disturbed or threatened. They can fly up to 50 mph (80 km/h) for short distances but often land within 200 yards (183 m) of where they took off. They also make cackling sounds with their voices to communicate with each other.

To hunt partridge, you need a good shotgun with a modified or improved cylinder choke and #6 or #7 1/2 shot shells. You also need a good pair of boots, a blaze orange vest or hat, and a hunting license with an upland game bird stamp. You can hunt partridge by driving slowly along roads or trails that border their habitat, looking for signs such as tracks, droppings, feathers, or dusting spots. You can also use a dog to help you locate and flush them. You should aim at the center of mass of the bird when it flies and shoot quickly before it scatters with the flock.

Ruffed grouse and partridge are both exciting game birds to hunt in the United States. They have some similarities but also many differences in their appearance, habitat, distribution, behavior, and hunting methods. By knowing these differences and following some tips, you can improve your chances of bagging these birds and enjoying their meat.