Babies?

[drache]

Out for a drive scouting and came across a decent sized Ruffed Grouse that had what appeared to be 4 "babies" with it. They were about the size of a clenched fist, head and tail included (so way smaller than the normal sized ruffed grouse) and wherever the normal sized one went, they followed.

Seems a little late for grouse that size around here....

 

[LOC]

I've noticed a number of smaller than normal birds too. Maybe a later hatch than normal?

 

[Levi Garrett]

Thats cool, I have never seen that in the wild Saw a Martin with a squirrel in its mouth heading for its home ...

 

[Boombb]

Possibly a second clutch

 

[leveractionjunkie]

Possibly a second clutch

+1 On the second hatch.

I have seen a couple similar this year, something killed off birds this spring and they had a second hatch.

 

[rimfiremac]

They're called hor'dourves

 

[Dominion Link]

+1 On the second hatch.

I have seen a couple similar this year, something killed off birds this spring and they had a second hatch.

+2 on second hatch. I saw a small flock turkeys last week, and there was easily a half dozen of them that were too young to fly.

 

[sjemac]

GOt 5 ruffies a couple weeks ago. 4 of them could barely fly. The dog actually retrieved one without me shooting it. It was a Mom with a brood. Seared the breasts off and then combined them with stewed wild mushrooms over pasta. The little ones are Good Eats!

 

[Glock4ever]

My hunting buddy and I tried to rescue a Spruce Grouse Chick that had a broken wing. We were hoping she would recover so we could let her go but she ended dying a day after she was brought home. We found her in mid July-ish while gopher/coyote hunting.

 

[sunray]

"...Saw a Martin with a squirrel in its mouth..." I've seen a squirrel with a squirrel in its mouth head for home. Cannibals, so there are.
"...second hatch..." Most likely. The first hatch may have been eaten by something.