Posted: 11/23/04
Grouse isnít afraid of a little hard work
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
Jim Scanlan has a helper at his home construction project in rural Caledonia.
A female ruffed grouse is keeping him company.
Scanlan first noticed the bird in the nearby woods about four weeks ago.
It moved to within 15-20 yards of him about two weeks ago as he worked on the building.
Then it moved to the peak of the house, above his head.
ěIt wasnít long before she was sitting on my hat, pecking on my head,î Scanlan said on Thursday, November 18.
Gravel truck driver Bob Snodgrass stopped at the site that day to have a look, and the bird hopped up his arm. His jacket sleeve bore proof of the visit. Bob made a chirping noise, and it gave him a peck that would make Karen jealous.
Bob reported that to The Argus. It piqued my interest, so I drove out to see for myself. (Itís a tough job, but somebodyís got to do it.)
I visited with Jim for a bit as he worked. ěIíve eaten a of of them,î Jim said. ěI keep threatening her if she pulls my hair.î But it was obvious from the gruff affection in his voice that this grouse would not end up on Jim Scanlanís dinner plate.
Then I waited. After about five minutes, Jim informed me that Henny Penny was coming.
Sure enough, the grouse emerged from the ditch and slowly strutted up to Jim. She wouldnít get on his arm or back as she often does, despite some coaxing by Jim. She seemed to be keeping one eye on me as I leaned against Jimís truck.
The bird was making some peeping noises, so I did some chirping in return. The bird headed over to me, and finally stopped when it was about two feet away. Then it headed back to Jim.
Jim said he has never seen anything like this. The bird will follow him through the house, and stays by him even when he uses his circular saw. ěNoise donít bother her any.î It even roosts in the house at night.
I said goodbye to Jim ń and the grouse ń and walked to my car. ěTell them I hope the kids donít shoot her,î he said.
The bird followed me to my car, saying a Minnesota good bye. It was an interesting visit. Iím not grousing about it (ouch), and neither is Jim Scanlan.
Very unusual
Randy Mell, a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources area forester based on Caledonia, said on November 22 that a fox, raccoon, or cat might have devastated the birdís flock, leaving the bird a remnant by itself. ěItís possible something might have really scared it,î Mell said.
Grouse are gregarious and live in flocks until spring, when they scatter, and this bird could be a runt that got lost, Mell added.
ěThis is really rare and weird,î he said.
Don Ramsden, a habitat specialist for the DNR in Winona, said it is very unusual to see a wild grouse that tame.
Young grouse arenít too afraid of people in the fall, and sometimes come up on decks. Sometimes they will get drunk from eating fermented mountain ash or hawthorne berries.
Itís also not likely to be a bird raised in captivity, since domesticated grouse have a high mortality rate, Ramsden added.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com