Pleasant Pheasants and Turkeys

[Bella]

I was in the Bon Echo area recently and made friendly with what I think is a pheasant.  It found us while we were walking in a very rustic road that leads to a few cottages.  The bird was incredibly friendly and followed us wherever we went.  It even ran after our car when we would drive by, we could see it in the rear view mirror trying to keep up.  I'll post a picture if I figure out how to post pics.  Can anyone tell me more aout this bird.  Are they normally solitary animals?  Are they normally that friendly?

I also had to stop twice for a mother turkey and her little ones (I dont' know what turkey babies are called.)  I've never seen turkeys before in the wild.  ARe they common in that part of Ontario?



The picture is so small.  This may be better.
http://outdoorontario.net/Gallery/Bon-Echo

[BIGFRANK]

Ive little experience with them,but Id say more likely a Grouse..my unexperienced guess Ruffed Grouse.

[Kin Lau]

Looks like a Ruff Grouse to me too.

[JTF]

I agree on a ruffed grouse.

[Bella]

ok I feel like an idiot.  Are grouse generally solitary and so social?  I thought I would see more than just one somewhere in the woods.

[Dr. John]

I've usually only seen grouse one an a time. A number of them have been very comfortable with me around, not exactly friendly but continuing to feed at a relaxed pace within a few feet of me.

-John

[Axeman]

I have seen 3 or 4 ruffed grouse together foraging in trees during the winter but in summer I see them foraging solo. And yep...its a ruffed grouse...I've found ruffed grouse, like wild turkeys, to be wary of approaching humans. Spruce grouse on the other hand, seem almost tame.