Sunday Showcase: Ruffed Grouse; Pileated Woodpecker

Tony LePrieur got this close-up photograph of a Ruffed Grouse west of Calgary, and this Pileated Woodpecker in the city, both on the weekend of October 30, 2016.

image1

Ruffed Grouse.

image2

Pileated Woodpecker (male).

 

3 thoughts on “Sunday Showcase: Ruffed Grouse; Pileated Woodpecker

  1. Beautiful.

    Are there any Ruffled Grouse in the City of Calgary?

    Couple weeks back, thought I saw a couple…it was from my upstairs window, and they quickly went under cover…

    how large are they, compared to say a Robin or Mallard Duck?

    • There are Ruffed Grouse in the boreal forests in the west end the city such as in Fish Creek Park and The Weaselhead Nature Area. They are 16 to 20 inches (40 to 50 cm) in length – much bigger than a Robin but smaller than a Mallard. If you don’t live near their usual habitats it would be unusual to see one. Perhaps you saw Grey Partridge, a slightly smaller bird that inhabits open grasslands and is often seen in residential areas.

      • Hello,

        Thank you.

        I do live close to Fish Creek…maybe two blocks..

        It is the only time I saw them (here), and it was from upstairs window…So, hard to say.

        Few yrs back we saw what we thought was Partridge..a bunch of them, maybe ten, scuttled out into the yard, then back under evergreen. Only saw them the one time, too.

        Just looked the two pics up, and it seems the two I saw this time might more resemble the Ruffed..

        Anyway, it is exciting to keep my eyes open for both in my back yard.

        Thanks.

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