3K reactions · 1K shares | Male ruffed grouse “drum” in springtime as...

Male ruffed grouse “drum” in springtime as a way to establish territory and to attract females. Although it looks as if the sound is caused by the bird’s wings hitting its chest, the sound actually comes from small sonic booms. The wings beat up to 5 times per second, causing the sound waves to stack up until they create a penetrating shock wave that creates the boom. Male grouse usually perform on a “drumming log,” which might help project the low-frequency sound. Drumming exerts a remarkable a

42K views · 266 reactions | Male ruffed grouse are known for their territorial display called drumming, but the grouse’s wings do not actually strike anything. Each thump you hear is air filling the vacuum created by the bird’s wings, similar to how lightning produces thunder. This grouse was recorded in Zaleski State Forest. | Your Wild Ohio - Hunter | Facebook