The Pennsylvania state bird has been the Ruffed grouse since 1931. Non-migratory, this game bird is highly adaptable due in large part to its varied diet. Ruffed grouse are omnivores, eating berries, buds, leaves, seeds, and insects. Their stomachs are able to handle plants that are difficult for other animals to digest, such as buds from the slightly poisonous Quaking Aspen or plants high in fiber.
Grouse are prey animals, which means other animals see them as a food source. One of the Ruffed Grouse’s greatest predators is the Great Horned Owl. In addition to predation, many Grouse populations are threatened by habitat loss.
