Data for: Ruffed grouse roosting behaviour

Behavioural flexibility is an important way in which animals respond to
changing environmental conditions. During winter, snow cover is an
important seasonal refuge that provides thermal insulation and protects
overwintering species from predators. However, snow depth and quality can
be highly variable throughout winter, and it is unclear how species that
use snow cover adjust their behaviour with changing winter conditions and
in complex landscapes. During winter months, Ruffed Grouse Bonasa
umbellus spend a large portion of time roosting in trees, understory, and
in some cases, subnivean environments. Importantly, the ability to snow
roost has been associated with reduced stress levels and increased
overwinter survival. Across three winters, we studied the plasticity of
roosting behaviour across a diversity of winter conditions and land cover
types. In line with predictions, grouse were more likely to use snow
burrows when snow was deep and powdery, and experienced warmer
temperatures in snow roosts compared to other roost types. However, snow
roosting behaviour did not vary strongly across land cover types, and
grouse were not more likely to use snow burrows at colder temperatures,
potentially because snow roosting may serve to protect grouse from
predators regardless of winter weather conditions. Both the snow
conditions necessary for snow roosting and the occurrence of snow roosting
behaviour, were relatively rare during our 3-year study (only 3% of all
roosts were snow burrows). Loss of winter refugia due to warming winters
and declining snow cover may limit the use of behavioural flexibility for
winter-adapted species to cope with environmental change.