Is the Ruffed Grouse you Bagged a Drummer or a Hen?
- Most rump feathers on drummers have two or more white dots while those of hens have one.
- The length of the central tail feathers on a drummer is greater than 15 cm, while hens have central tail feathers less than 15 cm. (Some immature drummers have tail feathers that are 14.2 - 14.9 cm)
- Most drummers have a complete tail band, while hens very often have an interrupted band. If the band is incomplete, you would look at the wing coverts. If the coverts are buff colored then the bird may still be a male, but a immature one (hatched the prior spring).