The Difference Between a Sage Hen and a Ruffed Grouse

For hunters and bird enthusiasts alike, it is preferable to be able to distinguish precisely which bird you have shot or spotted. With the many similar bird species in existence, and with multiple names available for some birds, it can be difficult to keep all the different kinds of birds straight. The sage hen and the ruffed grouse are two similar-seeming birds, but there are a few distinct differences between them.

  1. Taxonomy

    • The sage hen and the ruffed grouse are both grouses -- another name for the sage hen is the sage grouse. The two birds are in the same taxonomical order, Galliformes. But the sage hen is a member of the Tetraonidae family, while the ruffed grouse is in the Phasianidae family. The sage hen is a type of pheasant, while the ruffed grouse is occasionally referred to as a partridge. The ruffed grouse is the State Game Bird of Pennsylvania.

    Appearance and Distinctive Features

    • The male sage hen is distinguished by the yellow air sac on its neck, which becomes inflated and very large during courtship. On the other hand, the ruffed grouse is black with a brown neck, white breasts and, of course, a ruff on the neck. It has a plump body and feathered legs. The sage hen is the largest American grouse, at 25 to 30 inches, while the ruffed grouse is one of the smaller kinds of grouse, weighing about 20 ounces. Both the male sage hen and the male ruffed grouse are distinguished by their drumming, usually on logs. Since the males perform this act, it is thought to be involved in mating.

    Diet

    • The sage hen diet consists primarily of sage leaves. This diet gives the bird its name, as well as its lackluster flavor. In addition, they eat grasshoppers and some vegetation. The ruffed grouse can subsist on a diet of buds, seeds, insects and nuts, managing to survive in areas with snows that kill other birds.

    Location and Habitat

    • Both the sage hen and the ruffed grouse are hunted in the colder regions of North America. The sage hen was imported from Europe. The ruffed grouse, as one of the most broadly spread upland game birds, can be found all over the United States and Canada, but prefers to live in mountains, timbered hills and other upland areas.