I 've just been over in Woolwich, Maine photographing a wild
ruffed grouse that doesn't like man or beast. It appeared about three
weeks ago by an old farm house. It apparently roosts in a large dense
cedar or spruce in the yard. Its first sign of antagonism was when in
struck the owner's car when he was driving out the yard. He stopped,
thinking he had hit the bird, only to find that he was the one under
attack. This behavorism has continued, except the bird now strikes
the rear of their car and rides on the trunk half way down a long
drive before jumping off.

If someone goes out to do some yard work the bird will attack,
pecking at their shoes, or springing at their legs. Once it gets a
good beakfull of jeans, which provide a firm hold, it starts beating
its wings furiously. It produces quite a smart on a person's calves.
If walking, it will attack a person's feet from behind. At the end of
the day ankles are often black and blue. Even if the owner goes down
to his garden some distance away, as soon as the partridge spots him
it goes down after him. He is having trouble getting his spring bulbs
planted this fall.

This afternoon when I arrived, the owner was in his pickup truck
tossing wood into a shed. The grouse was sitting on the tailgate
watching every move. When he went into the shed to stack the firewood
the bird followed and continued to molest him. Yesterday, he was on
the ridge of the building applying a cap of shingles. No saftey up
there either. Once spotted, the grouse flew up and started pecking at
his hammer, and flapping its wings whenever he tried to nail a
shingle down.

Shortly after the bird arrived, the owner's small pet dog went
after it behind the spruce. The owner concerned for the saftey the
bird, called the dog back. The dog came, but hotly pursued by the
partridge which finally landed a good peck on the dog which let out a
yelp. The bird chased the dog inside. Terrorized, the dog now goes
outside only with the greatest reluctance.

During many of these attacks the bird utters several low
chuck-chuck notes followed by several higher pitched musical ones
which have a rising inflection.

Of course this 'crazy season' has often been documented. Many
years ago Dr. Ralph Palmer in his 'Maine Birds' wrote of a ruffed
grouse in Brunswick that had become so attracted to humans that a
photographer had to push it off with his foot in order to get a
photo. Some of those photos show the foot. I got exactly such
pictures today, but also of the owner who was able to reach down and
pick up the bird. I only took still photos, but all the episodes I've
described were also captured on a camcorder together with the bird's
attack notes. After my field experience the owner's graciously
invited me in and showed me their home video. It was quite a show.

--Chris Packard, Brunswick, Maine
cpackard at polar.bowdoin.edu

==================

Date: Sat, 29 Oct 1994 15:33:17 -0700
From: Mike Patterson <mpatters at EDNET1.OSL.OR.GOV>

I had a similar experience with a Blue Grouse up the Kilchis River in
Tillamook Co, OR. This Grouse would meet cars as they came up an abandon
logging road and attack the closest person. I have pictures of it perched
on my outstretched leg pecking at my shoe laces.

I had to pick it up and hold on to it as we turned the car around so as
not to run it over.

I believe the local indian name for grouse translates to stupid bird and
I suspect this is and obvious reason why.

******************************** Nothing at the top, but a bucket and a mop
* Mike Patterson, Astoria, OR * and an illustrated book about birds
* mpatters at ednet1.osl.or.gov * see a lot up there, but donUt be scared.
******************************** Who needs action when you got words? KC