• Tuesday-What'sUP March 12 - 09:51 am

Pretty Bird is a Ruffed Grouse that George and Paulette Beveridge have made friends with and stays in the Bootjack area around their home. He's been visiting them for six years, in April and no wonder, when they cut up and feed him apple and other treats.

It's amazing to me that this bird stays in the same area like this and keeps coming around to visit with his human friends. I've asked before, when Pretty Bird has been featured, but haven't gotten an answer, so I'll ask again this time...does anyone know what the lifespan of a Ruffed Grouse is? I'm sure this guy has a bit of an advantage with all the special treats that George and Paulette supply him with...you could say he's a bit spoiled. But being such a pretty bird, he deserves it!

In case you're new to the Pasty Cam, here's a list of the other dates and times this infamous Bootjack bird has been featured, so you can check him out from his beginnings on these pages. Just click on the date and it will take you to that day in the archives:
March 1, 2007; Sept. 8, 2007; Dec. 20, 2007; Feb. 19, 2009; June 18, 2009; Feb. 6, 2012.

Great pictures!! He sure looks like a fatty in that 2nd picture, lol! I just love bird pictures!!

My hubby thought their life span was only maybe 3 years. That sure can't be right. Look at this guy! Awesome!

Paulette & George have provided a great home for Pretty Bird.

Aww, what a Pretty bird!:> My maternal grandpa had a 'pet' cardinal that ate from his hand.

From ruffedgrousesociety.org: One out of 2200 chicks hatched may live as long as 8 years.

Are they sure this is the original "Pretty Bird"and not one of it's offspring?

Pretty bird.

My cousin, who lives in Brethren has a grouse (George) who is going on 6 years too. She goes out daily to feed him, using a 4 wheeler because it is back in the woods. Anyway whe stops the machine and sits on the running board and will call his name, sometimes it seems to take a minute or two, and out he comes to get his feed and water. They seem to talk to each other, she talks to him, and he sort of clucks and/or chrr's. He will walk along with you, and when leaving on the wheeler he will follow it for a little while.

Nice pics...the third one looks very jurassic.

Amazing pictures! It is so much fun to have friends from the wild creatures !

I did some research, and the longest age listed for a ruffed grouse was 11 years, and the Average age was listed as between 6-8 years.
Tom

Speaking of hardy birds...when I carried my trash out to the street this morning, I heard our 'annual geese visitors' back at the pond. Hope they're bringing signs of Spring.

Who knew? There is a ruffedgrousesociety.org! The computer search function is fantastic. All you ever thought to ask about the ruffed grouse -- and even things you never thought of.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO awesome!

Happy Birthday Breeze and Blower!

A couple weeks ago I saw a Robin. Today I saw 4 Robins plus smelling skunks, can't get any better Spring is near signs than these on the farm! ha!

Your right JT, don't get no better than that. Take a deep breath for me :-)

Alex, the deepest breath I ever took of a skunk was back when I had my '77 H.D. XLCH and we were on a ride, the guy 2 bikes in front of me hit a skunk. It was as bad as if I hit it myself!

mary drew,
i'm sure many are researching 'ruffed grouse'
at this moment. according to
http://www.naturenorth.com -- if ruffed grouse are lucky enough to survive adolescence, few
survive past 7 or 8 years.

the saga with 'pretty bird' is interesting.

Heard the geese too, Shirley. They must have been Canadian because their call was; "Honk, Eh?"

Nice pictures of the partridge.

Spring is just around the corner in Ontonagan, only 12 inches of snow yesterday.

If you haven't tried this salsa, you should. Best in the UP! http://www.marketingdepartmentinc.com/crazy-joes-salsa-available-now-at-local-grocers/

LOL! I didn't hear a "eh", Waveaction, but they are definitely Canada geese.;) We usually hear a 'battle royal' back there every year, as pairs fight over their 'rights' of the pond.:>

Our 'first sign of Spring' is when the red-winged
blackbirds return! Tho the skunks are a close 2nd.