English

grouse, ruffed ?

Arapaho

niiniibeicenee

Translation of the Arapaho

‘singing grouse’

Location

these grouse can be found in moist forested areas where deciduous trees and shrubs are present, especially in areas with aspen.

 

Ruffed Grouse and the Arapaho

The name above is given in Hayden’s 1863 report. By process of elimination, and also due to the fact that the Ruffed Grouse is the noisiest, most conspicuous “singer” among the grouse, it would seem that this is likely the bird referred to.