Pheasants, Turkeys, and Grouse
Order: Galliformes. Family: Phasianidae
The Phasianidae is a family of birds which consists of the pheasants and their allies. These are terrestrial species, variable in size but generally plump, with broad relatively short wings. Many species are gamebirds, or have been domesticated as a food source for humans. Turkeys have a distinctive fleshy wattle that hangs from the underside of the beak, and a fleshy protuberance that hangs from the top of its beak called a snood. As with many galliform species, the female (the hen) is smaller than the male (the tom), and much less colorful. With wingspans of 1.5–1.8 meters (almost 6 feet), the turkeys are the largest birds in the open forests in which they live, and are rarely mistaken for any other species. Grouse inhabit temperate and subarctic regions of the northern hemisphere. They are game and are sometimes hunted for food. In all Massachusetts species, Males are polygamous, and have elaborate courtship displays. These heavily built birds have legs feathered to the toes. Most species are year-round residents, and do not migrate.
- Ring-necked Pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I) (n)
- Wild Turkey, Meleagris gallopavo (n)
- Ruffed Grouse, Bonasa umbellus (n)
- Heath Hen/Greater Prairie-chicken, Tympanuchus cupido cupido (ex)
- Willow Ptarmigan, Lagopus lagopus (R)
Read more about this topic: List Of Birds Of Massachusetts
Famous quotes containing the word grouse:
“Where has it all gone? I remember that twenty years ago there were geese and cranes and ducks and grouse here, clouds of them!... And there are far fewer animals. Wolf and fox are rare, brother, not to mention bears or mink. There used even to be moose!”
—Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (1860–1904)