Mystery Bird: Sharp-tailed Grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus

Ruffed Grouse.

I'm calling those sharp-tailed grouse, based on Sibley's "slightly crested", "white-spotted wing coverts", and "pale below with dark chevrons".

Sharp-tailed grouse is my guess based on the light-colored and relatively unmarked flanks and light undertail.

I beleive that these are female sharp tailed grouse. The small crest on the head and the light underparts are the field marks I would use to identify these birds. While ruffed grouse have a crest as well, they are more likely to be found in woodlands.
Ian Kinman

I beleive that these are female sharp tailed grouse. The small crest on the head and the light underparts are the field marks I would use to identify these birds. While ruffed grouse have a crest as well, they are more likely to be found in woodlands.
Ian Kinman

I'm thinking they're a pair of Rock Ptarmigan in summer. The male definitely sports a marking between the eye and the bill.