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ruffed grouse
noun
: a grouse (Bonasa umbellus) of U.S. and Canadian forests of which the male erects a ruff of black feathers and fans out a broad black-banded tail during breeding displays
Examples of ruffed grouse in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Otis got birdy right away, and put up a ruffed grouse ahead of us.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 16 Sep. 2020
Jeremy Moore, a Wisconsin dog trainer and ruffed grouse junkie, just plunked down a deposit on an English setter.
—Tony J. Peterson, Outdoor Life, 24 Sep. 2020
Getting chased by territorial ruffed grouse, taking in the fall colors of the palisades over Rose Lake along the Border Route, and meeting trail crews rehabbing the Powwow Trail after the Pagami Creek Fire burned more than 95 % of it in 2011.
—Bob Timmons, Star Tribune, 22 Oct. 2020
Specialized techniques like a snapshot for ruffed grouse in thick cover is ineffective on a covey rise.
—Tom Keer, Field & Stream, 2 June 2020
Under the proposal, the Horicon refuge would be open to hunting for woodcock, moorhen, coyote, ruffed grouse, opossum, raccoon, fox, skunk, bobcat, snowshoe hare and black bear on acres already open to other hunting.
—Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2020
The plan maintains two ruffed grouse management zones but shifts the boundary.
—Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 20 Dec. 2019
The 2019 hunt produced an average of 1.8 ruffed grouse and 4.0 woodcock bagged by each hunter, up from 1.0 grouse and 3.1 woodcock last year.
—Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2019
But when a ruffed grouse erupts from beneath a mantle of unblemished snow, the percussion all but drops you in your tracks.
—Tom Davis, Field & Stream, 4 Dec. 2019
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ruffed grouse.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1759, in the meaning defined above
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Cite this Entry
“Ruffed grouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ruffed%20grouse. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
ruffed grouse
noun
: a grouse of the U.S. and Canada with the male having tufts of shiny black feathers around the neck
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