The Ruffed Grouse is distributed throughout deciduous and coniferous forests of North America. However, they are most abundant in early-successional forests dominated by aspens and poplars. They are resident birds in young forests as far north as central Alaska and as far south as northern Georgia, with this species finding protection from predators in the canopy of young trees and in the thick understory of shrubs and saplings. Leaves, buds, and fruits of deciduous-forest plants constitute most of their diet.