Bonasa umbellus, commonly known as the Ruffed Grouse, is native to North America. It is predominantly found in the northern United States and throughout Canada, extending from the Appalachian Mountains in the east to the Rocky Mountains in the west.

The Ruffed Grouse typically inhabits deciduous and mixed forests, often in areas with dense understory vegetation. These forests provide a mix of open areas and thick cover, crucial for their protection and forage needs. The species prefers regions with young forest growth, such as those resulting from timber harvesting or natural disturbances, as these areas offer abundant food and cover.

The Ruffed Grouse occupies a niche as a primary consumer, foraging on a variety of foods, including buds, leaves, fruits, and insects. Its reliance on dense underbrush and young forest areas highlights its role in forest ecosystems as a species that aids in the propagation of early successional habitats. This habitat preference supports its breeding and rearing needs, as well as providing escape cover from predators.