This male Ruffed Grouse, with his fanned tail and expanded "ruff", is showing part of his courtship behavior designed to attract the female grouse in the spring. The other courtship behavior is the distinctive drumming of this species.

The Ruffed Grouse is a common bird found throughout British Columbia's forests and also all of Canada. They are naturally camouflaged with the ground & brush. If you are not paying attention, you can walk right by them and not notice them. When they are spooked, they will fly off for a short distance and then hide again. Below is another Ruffed Grouse that stayed at the shelter for treatment.