Male ruffed grouse, winter-loving birds, are aggressively territorial throughout their adult lives. The male grouse proclaims his property rights by engaging in a 'drumming' display. This sound is made by beating his wings against the air to create a vacuum, as lightning does when it makes thunder. The drummer usually stands on a log, stone or mound of dirt when drumming, and this object is called a 'drumming log'.

Thanks to chickadee for use of her amazing phogoraph of a not-quite mature ruffed grouse.

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