Which bird native to Pennsylvania attracts mates through drumming and puffing its ruffs?

The Ruffed Grouse is well known for its unique mating display, which involves both drumming and puffing out its ruffs. During the breeding season, male Ruffed Grouse perform a characteristic drumming sound by rapidly beating their wings against their sides, creating a resonant sound that can carry over long distances. This drumming is an important part of attracting females and establishing territory.

In addition to drumming, the males often puff up their ruff (the feathers around their neck) to appear larger and more impressive, further appealing to potential mates. This combination of vocalization and visual display is a distinctive feature of their courtship behavior, making the Ruffed Grouse easily identifiable during this time.

While other birds listed may have interesting behaviors, they do not exhibit this specific combination of drumming and displaying ruffs as part of their mating rituals. The Pileated Woodpecker, for instance, is recognized for its striking appearance and drumming on trees, but it does not puff out feathers. The Blue Jay and American Robin possess their own mating habits but lack the drumming and ruff display that characterizes the Ruffed Grouse.