40. ~ Grouse ~

Grouse have a very short bill which is slightly curved. They have three toes in front and one facing back of each foot. Their legs are feathered all the way down to their feet. Ruffed grouse have a fan shaped tail similar to a turkey's, but much smaller. The remainder of this bird resembles a chicken in many ways. Grouse are noted for their strange drumming sounds. During their drumming the male will fan out his tail feathers to impress the females he is trying to attract. The grouse also have a soft, murmur sound they make. The grouse has a shawl of feathers about the shoulders. The grouse lay an average of eleven eggs. Grouse are approximately seventeen inches in length. When the grouse's wing's compress with air, they create vacuums which in turn produces a noise that sounds like a lawn mower starting up. This noise can be detected over a quarter of a mile away. The grouse will often build their nests low to the ground, perhaps near the base of an old tree stump. Their wingspan is twenty to twenty-five inches (50 - 64 cm) and they weigh one to two pounds (680 grams). The best way to distinguish a male from a female is by looking ath their tail tips. When the tail feathers are fanned, the males have a solid black band, where as the female has a gap at the centre of the band. A female grouse will lay fourteen to eighteen buff coloured eggs. The grouse do not form conveys like the quail families do.

Medicine:

Grouse medicine teaches us to dance to the beat of our own drum. They teach us to not hide our gifts and talents, but rather to boldly display them. Grouse medicine reminds us how boring the world would be if we were all the same. Grouse teaches us that to stand around and not do anything is simply not enough. Grouse tells us it is time to get involved in the lives of others for their own protection. Grouse medicine reassures others, they don't have to go it alone!