Angry Bird - Sharp Tailed Grouse

[mbrager]

I was hiking along yesterday, minding my own business, when out of the corner of my eye I noticed a scurrying of small creatures down a hole in the ground. And then I see the mother, a rather formidable hen, who makes a spitting sound, flies into the air and comes at me. Naturally I try to take her picture, but she doesn't want me to go any further down the trail. After a few attacks and more spitting, I decide to run past her. She follows me for a ways, and then returns to her chicks. Maybe I deserved that for playing Angry Birds for so long. I didn't see her on the way back. I believe she is a Sharp Tailed Grouse.

[Wicked Dark]

how's that Lennon song go...instant karma's gonna get you. Good grab shot, too.

[Wicked Dark]

bah, double post.

[Hillbillygirl]

Very cool story to go along with the pic.
What you have here is a Ruffed Grouse. You can tell by the white stripe going front to back through the eye, also the fanned tail. (sharp-tailed is exactly that-pointed) You can also tell it is a female from the break in the centre of the banding at end of tail.

[Bambi]

I had one of these attack my horse when we were out riding minding our own business. not fun at all!

[mbrager]

Thanks for the comments. You are right, of course, HBG, it is a ruffed grouse. Missed seeing it in my bird book. Thanks for that, and the detailed explanation. At least I had the female part right.

[JAS_Photo]

Cool shot! She is pretty girl, if somewhat riled up looking. I had a pair fly up at me when I was on the side of those cliffs below Capitol Hill (I think it's called, below Samis Road anyway. ) at dusk one time. Startled me for sure but I am more worried about running into snakes up there. :(

[edG]

cool capture