Better known as the ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus).
Other aliases include “partridge” or “paatridge” (as it is known in New England), and in some regions, it is called a pheasant.
It is neither a partridge nor a pheasant.
It’s a woodland grouse that is most closely related to the hazel grouse (Bonasa bonasia) of Northern Eurasia and the Severtzov’s grouse (Bonasa sewerzowi) of the mountains of Central China.
My grandpa always told me that this was the bird they ate for Thanksgiving every year.
Market turkeys weren’t available during the Depression.
But shot was cheap, and the grouse were quite common.
So that’s what they ate.
“Thunder” comes from the noise the males can make, drumming on hollow logs, right?
I always thought it came from the noise they made when they jump out of the undergrowth and take flight. They make quite a bit of noise with their wings when they first take off.
That too! probably disconcerts some hunters and gives the bird a bit of time to get away.
When you find yourself in danger,
When you’re threatened by a stranger,
When it looks like you will take a lickin’, (cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck)
There is someone waiting who
Will hurry up and rescue you,
just call- for Super Chicken! (cluck, awk!)
Fred, if you’re afraid, you’ll have to overlook it,
Besides you knew the job was dangerous when you took it! (cluck, awk!)
He will drink his super sauce
And throw the bad guys for a loss
And he will bring them in, alive and kickin’ (cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck)
There is one thing you should learn
When there is no one else to turn to
Call- for Super Chicken! (cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck)
Call…for Super Chicken! (cluck, awk!)
That’s what ‘thunder chickens’ makes me think of.
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did you take that pic?
No.
It’s from a book on grouse hunting.
love it! someday, when I get one mounted, that is the pose I want.