Selection and Use of Drumming Sites by Male Ruffed Grouse

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Abstract
A 10 year study of the drumming behavior of the North American tetraonid forest game bird, the Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) on the Cloquet Forest Research Center in northern Minnesota, U.S.A., provided a basis for describing the objects or areas used by the bird in this behavior, including the drumming stage (where the grouse stands) on a drumming log (which provides a superior position in reference to the surrounding terrain, but may not be a log), which is the focal point of activity in an acitivity center (which is probably synonymous with drumming territory). Historically, depending on whether or not they are repeatedly used by successive male grouse, logs and centers are defined as perennial (with a long tradition of use), or transient (used only by one bird for his lifetime). Annually a log may be used by an individual male grouse as his primary, alternate, or incidentally as a secondary drumming log. This historical status of a male grouse using a log in relation to his predecessor may be that of a new drummer (on a log not used before), a replacement drummer (contact with his predecessor is implied), a displacement drummer (having routed his predecessor), and a repeat drummer (using a log with a long history of prior use, but without possible contact with his predecessor). Some young male Ruffed Grouse are well established on logs by an age of 17-19 wk, but most not until 10 mon., although some never use drumming logs. The spring season is usually regarded as the period of most intensive log use, but many logs are used throughout the summer, and fall use oftentimes surpasses spring use. Natural aggregations of drumming activity centers clustered in a manner which suggests an expanded communal display ground or lek is documented.

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