'ełdyaani, spruce grouse, Canachites canadensis

This time of summer, it is common to see a family of 'ełdyaani (spruce grouse). Chicks hatch in mid-June, able to walk almost right away. They follow their mother through the undergrowth in search of insects that make up most of their diet when they are young. By the time they are one week old, they can make short flights into lower branches of trees. The hen raises her chicks on her own, brooding the chicks at night and in cool weather until they are three to five weeks old.