How do Ruffed Grouse use drumming?

Ruffed Grouse use drumming primarily as a courtship display, which is especially prominent during the breeding season. The male grouse produces a distinctive sound that resembles drumming by rapidly beating its wings against the air, which helps to attract females. This behavior showcases the male's vitality and fitness, helping it to stand out to potential mates.

While drumming does play a role in territorial assertion, its primary function is to signal reproductive availability and attract females, making it a critical aspect of their mating rituals. Other species in similar habitats exhibit various vocalizations and signals for danger or communication with young, but for Ruffed Grouse, the drumming sound is an unmistakable courtship display aimed at facilitating mating opportunities.