Whether you’re a seasoned outdoorsman or new to the game, there’s nothing quite like the taste of a fresh game bird. In this article, we’ll cover 75+ types of game birds that can be found throughout North America and how they taste.

We’ll also discuss how to dress, store, and prepare your harvest for the table. So read on and get ready to bag yourself a culinary trophy!

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Upland Game Birds

Upland game birds are the most commonly hunted & most commonly seen on dinner plates. Hunting upland birds can take you rugged country.

Here are the upland game birds of North America.

Ruffed Grouse

The ruffed grouse is a smaller bird, with hens weighing around 2 lbs. & the males weighing between 1-1/2 and 3 lbs. They are found in northern forests, particularly in patches of brush where they can more easily hide from predators.

Their diet consists primarily of buds, berries & seeds, but their taste varies depending on what they’ve been eating (this is true of many game birds).

Blue Grouse

The male and female of this large and interesting grouse species can be difficult to distinguish at first glance, as they look nearly identical. A closer inspection will reveal the tell-tale very glossy green head of the male Blue Grouse combined with its crested body – any bird that isn’t the female is likely to have these features.

Its diet is typically dominated by berries, seeds, and leaves, favoring them for the majority of the year. However, during breeding season Blue Grouse will also feed heavily on insects to provide enough protein for their mate and young.

The meat is very lean with only a small amount of fat present around the kidneys, making it quite dry when cooked – if prepared correctly this can be remedied by basting the meat with butter before cooking. This bird is best roasted, pan-fried, or made into a game bird fricassee.

Spruce Grouse

The Spruce Grouse is a type of grouse that is found in the northern parts of North America. They typically live in coniferous forests and eat the seeds from spruce and tamarack trees, as well as some green vegetation. The white meat from Spruce Grouse has a mild flavor and can be substituted for chicken or turkey in any recipe.

Greater Prairie Chicken

The Greater Prairie Chicken is a bird that is found in the prairies of North America. They are a type of grouse and eat mostly seeds & vegetables, but also some insects. The Greater Prairie Chicken has dark, flavorful meat that can be used in most recipes that call for chicken or turkey.

Sage Grouse

Sage Grouse is a type of grouse that is found in the western parts of North America. They typically live in sagebrush flats and eat the leaves and buds from sagebrush plants, as well as some insects. The dark meat from a Sage Grouse has a strong flavor and can be used in most recipes that call for duck or pheasant.

Sharp-Tailed Grouse

The Sharp-tailed Grouse is a type of grouse that is found in the western parts of North America. They typically live in open areas near trees and eat the fruits & seeds, as well as some insects. The dark meat from a Sharp-tailed Grouse has a strong flavor and can be used in most recipes that call for duck or pheasant.

Chukar Partridge

The chukar partridge is a Eurasian upland gamebird that has been introduced into North America and Europe. The bird is native to the steppes of Europe, the mountains of Western Asia and North Africa, and northern Iran.

The Chukar Partridge typically feeds on seeds, fruit, leaves, flowers, and small insects. The meat of the chukar partridge is described as tasting like an old hen’s. While they are gamey tasting, they are not as gamey as a wild turkey or pheasant.

Hungarian Partridge

The Hungarian Partridge is a game bird that is found in Eastern and Central Europe and Central Asia. It has been introduced to New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and North America. The Hungarian Partridge feeds on grains, seeds, buds, berries, roots, and leaves in winter; mostly herbaceous plants such as clover and alfalfa.

Ring-Necked Pheasant

The Ring-Necked Pheasant is a game bird that is typically found in the United States and Canada. They are a part of the Phasianidae family and are omnivorous, feeding on seeds, insects, and other small animals.

The Ring-Necked Pheasant is considered to be edible, with a taste that has been described as “mild” and “fleshy”. They are valued game birds due to their high flight speed in the wild, which can reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour.

The Ring-Necked Pheasant has a range that extends from northern Canada through Alaska and down into parts of Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska.

Bobwhite Quail

Though there are over 10 breeds of quail, the most common in eastern North America is the Bobwhite Quail which typically ranges from Wyoming to the Atlantic coast.

The quail eats a diet consisting of seeds, berries, fruit, and insects which results in a mild flavor with cuts best complimented by a marinade or dry rub. Quail can be cooked in an air fryer, grilled, fried, baked, or really any method. The Bobwhite is a valuable game bird due to its short, fast bursts of flight.

Harlequin Quail

The Harlequin Quail is a game bird that is found in parts of the United States and Mexico. They typically inhabit desert scrublands and grasslands.

The diet of the Harlequin Quail consists of seeds (especially acorns) and grasses. The Harlequin Quail is considered to be edible and tastes like chicken.

Gambel’s Quail

The Gambel’s quail is a small North American bird that is a part of the New World quail family. These birds are typically about 9 inches in length and have brown and white barred plumage. Gambel’s quail are found in open areas such as desert scrub, grasslands, and open woodlands. They feed mainly on seeds, but will also consume insects, spiders, and fruit. Gambel’s quail tastes similar to dove or chicken and can be cooked in a variety of ways.

Mountain Quail

The Mountain Quail is a game bird that is found in the western part of North America. The Mountain Quail typically inhabits areas that are near the coniferous forests.

The diet of the Mountain Quail consists of seeds, fruits, and occasional insects. The Mountain Quail is considered to be an edible game bird, and it tastes like chicken.

Scaled Quail

The scaled quail is a small game bird that is found in a small area from Texas north to Colorado. They are about 10-12 inches in length. The diet of the scaled quail consists mostly of buds, seeds, leaves, and plant shoots. They are considered to be good game birds to hunt because they have excellent, strong flight speed over short distances.

California Quail

The California Quail is a game bird that is found in western North America. They are very common in the state of California, with the range extending into Oregon, Washington, and Nevada. The California Quail is a ground-dwelling bird that feeds on seeds and insects. They are also edible and taste like chicken.

Wild Turkey

The Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is a large, wild bird that is native to North America. It is the heaviest bird in the United States and can weigh up to 24 pounds. The Wild Turkey is a ground-dwelling bird and typically lives in hardwood and pine forests.

The Wild Turkey eats a variety of items, including twigs, seeds, and various nuts & fruits along with some insects. The meat of the Wild Turkey is dark and has a strong flavor. It typically tastes best when eaten in the fall.

Wild turkeys are plentiful throughout much of their range but have decreased in number recently due to habitat loss, hunting, and poor weather conditions. Because turkeys are also easy to farm, they are one of the most familiar birds hunted across North America.

Band-Tailed Pigeon

The Band-tailed Pigeon is a bird that is found in the western half of North America. They are typically gray, but can also be black or white. Band-tailed Pigeons focus on nuts, but will generally eat all plant matter. Like many pigeons, they are not typically hunted for food but have a long food tradition with well-established cuts. Band-tailed Pigeons taste like a cross between a dove and a pigeon.

Willow Ptarmigan

The Willow Ptarmigan is a type of ptarmigan that is found in North America. The Willow Ptarmigan is a ground-dwelling bird that feeds on seeds, leaves, buds, and flowers. The Willow Ptarmigan is also known to eat insects on occasion. The Willow Ptarmigan is considered to be edible, and it has a taste that has been described as being “somewhere between chicken and quail”.

Mourning Dove

The Mourning Dove is a migratory bird that is typically found in the eastern half of the United States and Canada. The diet of the Mourning Dove consists mostly of seeds, but they will also eat the occasional plant matter.

The meat of the Mourning Dove is dark and has a strong flavor. It is a very fast flyer with speeds north of 60+ miles per hour. It has an iconic cooing sound and flutters when roosted.

White-Winged Dove

The White-Winged Dove is a migratory bird that can be found in the Southwestern United States and Mexico. They typically eat desert food – shrub shoots along with cacti and tree fruits.

American Woodcock

The American Woodcock is a medium-sized bird that is typically found in wooded areas across North America. The American Woodcock feeds on a variety of things, including insects, earthworms, and seeds. While the American Woodcock is not typically considered to be a delicious game bird, it is still edible and tastes great when cooked properly.

Waterfowl Game Birds

Waterfowl holds a special place both in hunting tradition and in the history of conservation. Even non-hunters likely know about duck hunting, but here are the other North American water-based game birds.

Barnacle Goose

The Barnacle Goose is a migratory bird that is found in North America, Europe, and Asia. In North America, they are most commonly found in the Northwest Territories, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland.

They typically eat grasses and the occasional insect. The Barnacle Goose is considered a delicacy by many people and tastes like a combination of duck and goose. They are best eaten fresh, but can also be frozen or dried.

Blue Goose

The Blue Goose is found along the Texas & Louisiana Gulf Coast. They feed on grasses and other vegetation along coastlines. Their meat is lean, low in fat, and has a mild flavor.

Common Canada Goose

The common Canada goose is a large waterfowl that is found in North America. These geese are typically about 2.5 feet long and have a wingspan of about 5 feet. They weigh between 6 and 12 pounds.

The common Canada goose is a herbivore and feeds on a variety of plants, including grasses, grains, and aquatic vegetation. These geese are considered to be game birds and are hunted for their meat. They are generally mild-tasting and considered to be quite edible.

Emperor Goose

The Emperor Goose is found in Alaska, Hawaii, and California. They typically live in the boreal forest, tundra, and taiga. They feed on seeds, roots, tubers, shoots of grasses and sedges, leaves of aquatic plants, alder buds, berries and seaweed.

Snow Goose

The Snow Goose is one of the most common geese in North America with a very wide range. The diet of the Snow Goose consists of grasses, sedges, and other vegetation. They are considered to be edible and taste like a mild version of duck meat.

Ross’s Goose

The Ross’s Goose is a small North American goose. It is the smallest of all the goose species in North America. The Ross’s Goose typically breeds in the high Arctic and winters in California and Mexico. The Ross’s Goose feeds on aquatic plants, grasses, and grains. The Ross’s Goose is considered to be a fairly edible bird with a mild flavor.

White-Fronted Goose

The white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons) is a species of goose that is native to North America. It breeds in the Arctic and spends the winters in coastal areas of the United States and southern Canada. The white-fronted goose is a migratory bird and can be found in many different parts of North America during the winter months.

The white-fronted goose is a herbivorous bird and typically feeds on grasses, sedges, and other aquatic plants. The white-fronted goose is considered to be an edible bird, and its meat has a mild flavor that is often described as being similar to duck meat.

Brant

The brant is a medium-sized goose with a black head and neck, white chest and underparts, and a grayish back. It breeds in northern North America and winters on the Pacific coast of North America and in northern South America.

The brant is a herbivore that typically feeds on eelgrass, small invertebrates, and other plant material. Brant are not typically hunted, as they are not considered very edible. However, they reportedly have a mild flavor and can be roasted or boiled.

Black Brant

The Black Brant is a sea duck that is found in coastal areas in North America. It is a dark brown color with a black head and neck. The Black Brant feeds on aquatic vegetation, similar to the Brant.

Black Duck

The black duck is a medium-sized dabbling duck. It is the most widespread dabbling duck in North America. The black duck typically feeds on aquatic invertebrates, such as insects, worms, mollusks, and crustaceans. They will also feed on the seeds of aquatic plants and some grains. The black duck is considered to be an excellent game bird, as they are challenging to hunt, and they are quite tasty when cooked properly.

Black-Bellied Tree Duck

The Black-Bellied Tree Duck is a common and widespread duck that can be found in many parts of North America. They are herbivores, and their diet consists of mainly aquatic plants.

These ducks are also omnivorous and will eat small invertebrates and insects. They are considered edible, and their meat tastes similar to that of a mallard.

Bufflehead

The Bufflehead is a small duck that is found in North America. They are around 12-13 inches in length and weigh between 14-17 ounces. The Bufflehead typically feeds on small sea life such as crustaceans and small fish along with aquatic plants. They are considered good game birds and are hunted in many areas of the United States. Buffleheads have a mild taste and are usually roasted or grilled.

Canvasback

The canvasback is a North American game bird that has a typical range in the United States and Canada. The diet of the canvasback consists of aquatic plants. The taste of the meat is often described as being “gamey”.

American Coot

The American Coot is a medium-sized water bird. It is the only member of the genus Fulica. The American Coot is found in North America and parts of South America. They are typically found in freshwater habitats, such as marshes, lakes, and ponds.

American Coots are omnivorous and eat a variety of things, including insects, fish, aquatic plants, and other small animals. They are not typically hunted for food, but they can be eaten.

Common Eider

The Common Eider (Somateria dresseri) is a large sea duck that nests in the Arctic regions of North America through Alaska and Canada. It is the largest Eider that can be up to 27 inches in length. It eats seafood, especially mollusks and crustaceans.

King Eider

The King Eider is a large sea duck that is found in the Arctic. They are one of the largest members of the Eider family and have a black body with a white face and chest. They eat mollusks, crustaceans, and aquatic insects. They are not typically hunted for food, but they are edible and taste like fish.

Spectacled Eider

The Spectacled Eider is a large sea duck that is found in North America, notably in Southern Alaska. They typically reside in coastal areas and estuaries, where they eat aquatic plants like sedges and algae. They are also known to eat insects and other small invertebrates. Spectacled Eiders are not typically hunted, as they are not considered to be very tasty. However, their meat does have a slightly fishy taste.

Stellar’s Eider

The Stellar’s Eider is a medium-sized sea duck that is found in North America. It is the only member of the genus Polysticta. The eider is a diving bird and feeds mainly on fish, crustaceans, and some aquatic plants. They are usually hunted in coastal areas and can be eaten fresh or smoked.

Fulvous Tree Duck

The Fulvous Tree Duck is a waterfowl that is found in North America. The species typically inhabits wooded swamps, marshes, and creeks. They are also known to inhabit flooded agricultural fields. The diet of the Fulvous Tree Duck consists of aquatic plants, seeds, and insects. The Fulvous Tree Duck is considered to be an edible bird, with a taste that has been described as “mild and slightly fishy”.

Gadwall

The Gadwall (Anas strepera) is a medium-sized dabbling duck. It is the most widespread dabbling duck in North America. The male Gadwall has a gray head, black throat, chestnut-brown back, white sides, and a black tail.

The female Gadwall has a brown head and body, and a white stripe along the side. The Gadwall’s diet consists of seeds, aquatic plants, and small invertebrates. They are not typically hunted as they are not very tasty.

Common Goldeneye

The common goldeneye is a medium-sized diving duck that is found in North America. They are typically found in wooded areas near ponds and lakes. Goldeneyes are omnivorous and feed on a variety of items, including aquatic insects, fish, and small crustaceans. Goldeneyes are also known to eat acorns, berries, and other vegetation. Goldeneyes are edible, but they have a slightly fishy taste.

Barrow’s Goldeneye

The Barrow’s Goldeneye is a diving duck that is typically found in North America. The diet of the Barrow’s Goldeneye consists of aquatic insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. The Barrow’s Goldeneye is not typically hunted, but they are considered to be edible.

Harlequin Duck

The Harlequin Duck is a North American sea duck that is found in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The Harlequin Duck is a diving bird that feeds on mollusks, crustaceans, and fish. The Harlequin Duck is not typically hunted, but it can be eaten if harvested properly. The meat of the Harlequin Duck is white and has a mild flavor.

Red-Breasted Merganser

The Red-Breasted Merganser is a diving bird that is found in North America. They typically eat fish, but they can also consume other small aquatic creatures. The Red-Breasted Merganser is considered a good game bird to hunt because they are abundant and tastes good.

Common Merganser

The Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) is a fish-eating duck that is found in North America. They are typically found in areas near water, and they use their sharp bills to catch fish. They are considered to be a medium-sized duck, and they have a greenish-black head and a white body. They can be distinguished from other ducks by their red eyes and the serrated crest on top of their head.

They are generally considered to be edible birds, and they have a mild flavor that is described as being similar to that of a chicken.

Hooded Merganser

The Hooded Merganser is a duck that is found in North America. The diet of the Hooded Merganser consists of small fishes, amphibians, and aquatic insects. The Hooded Merganser is considered to be a good game bird to hunt because it is edible and has a mild flavor.

Green-Winged Teal

The Green-Winged Teal is a small dabbling duck that is found in North America. They are the most abundant and widespread dabbling ducks in North America. The diet of the Green-Winged Teal consists of seeds, aquatic plants, insects, and small mollusks. They are considered to be excellent game birds and are hunted in many areas. The meat of the Green-Winged Teal is mild and has a slightly fishy taste.

Blue-Winged Teal

The blue-winged teal is a small dabbling duck that is found in North America. They are around 12-13 inches long and weigh around 1/2 a pound. The males have a dark green head, a light grey body, and a black tail.

The females are mottled brown with a light-coloured chest. They feed on seeds, aquatic plants, and insects. Blue-winged teal is very edible and tastes great.

Cinnamon Teal

The Cinnamon Teal is a small North American duck. It is one of the most common ducks in the United States. The male has a cinnamon-colored head and a green-colored body. The female has a gray head and a brown body. The Cinnamon Teal feeds on grasses and aquatic plants along with some insects and mollusks.

Common Teal

The Common Teal is a small dabbling duck that is found in North America and Eurasia. They are greenish in color with a chestnut head, a white crescent below the eye, and a black stripe running from the eye to the bill. They measure between 12-14 inches in length and weigh between 1.5-2 pounds. The diet of the Common Teal consists of aquatic plants, insects, and crustaceans. They are classified as game birds but are not generally hunted due to their small size.

American Widgeon

The American Widgeon is a type of game bird that is found in North America. They typically inhabit marshes, shallow ponds, and open wetland areas. The American Widgeon is a herbivorous bird and feeds on aquatic plants, grasses, grains, and insects. They are considered to be a delicacy by many hunters and have a mild flavor that tastes a little like bacon.

Wood Duck

The Wood Duck is a medium-sized waterfowl found in North America. They are typically around 19 inches in length and have a wingspan of around 32 inches. The Wood Duck is a dabbling duck, which means they mainly feed on the surface of the water.

They eat a variety of things, including insects, seeds, and berries. The Wood Duck is considered to be edible, and they taste like a mix of chicken and duck.

Masked Duck

The Masked Duck is a small, dark bird that is typically found in the southern United States. It is a diving duck that feeds on aquatic plants and insects. The Masked Duck is not typically hunted, as it is not considered a game bird. However, it can be eaten if prepared properly. The meat of the Masked Duck is dark and somewhat tough. It has a strong, musky flavor that some people find unpleasant.

Mottled Duck

The Mottled Duck is a medium-sized duck that is found in North America. The Mottled Duck is a dabbling duck that feeds on aquatic and terrestrial plants.

Oldsquaw

The Oldsquaw (Clangula hyemalis) is a sea duck that is found in North America. They typically live in coastal areas and eat a variety of things, including mollusks, crustaceans, insects, and plants. They are also known to eat small fish. The Oldsquaw is considered an edible bird, and they taste somewhat like a cross between a duck and a goose.

Mallard

The Mallard is a common and widespread duck that can be found in most of North America. They are omnivorous but prefer to eat insects, seeds, and aquatic plants. Mallards are one of the most commonly hunted ducks in North America, and they are considered very edible with established cuts. They have a mild flavor and a slightly gamey taste.

Ring-Necked Duck

The Ring-necked Duck typically inhabits fresh and saltwater marshes, ponds, lakes, and coastal areas in North America. They are omnivorous and feed on aquatic plants, seeds, insects, and mollusks. Ring-necked Ducks are generally considered edible with a mild flavor.

Ruddy Duck

Ruddy ducks are a type of duck that is found in most of the United States and Canada. They typically eat aquatic plants and small shellfish. Ruddy ducks are considered very edible. They have a mild flavor and can be roasted, grilled, or fried.

Pintail

The Pintail is a duck that is found in western & northern North America. They typically live in the water and eat insects, plants, and small fish. Pintails are considered to be edible, and they have a mild flavor that tastes a bit like chicken.

Redhead

The redhead is a medium-sized diving duck. It is approximately 20 inches in length and has a wingspan of 32 inches. The males are a reddish brown color with a white head and neck. The females are light brown with a darker brown head. The redhead is found in marshes, lakes, and ponds in the eastern half of the United States and Canada. They eat aquatic plants, insects, and small fish. The redhead is not typically hunted but can be eaten.

Greater Scaup

The Greater Scaup is a diving duck that is found in North America. The Greater Scaup is a dark-colored bird with a white patch on its head. The Greater Scaup feeds on aquatic plants, mollusks, and crustaceans. The Greater Scaup is not considered to be a very good game bird, as it has a strong flavor and is tough to eat.

Lesser Scaup

The Lesser Scaup is a small diving duck that is found in North America. They typically inhabit bodies of water that are open and have a lot of vegetation. The diet of the Lesser Scaup consists of aquatic plants, mollusks, and insects. These birds are generally considered to be edible, and they taste like a mild version of chicken.

Common Scoter

The Common Scoter is a sea duck that is typically found in coastal areas. They are black and white, with a black head and white neck. The males have a greenish head and are slightly larger than the females. These birds feed on aquatic invertebrates, as well as crustaceans and fish. They are considered to be edible, but they do not taste very good.

Surf Scoter

The Surf Scoter is a sea duck that is found in the North Pacific and North Atlantic oceans. They are the smallest of the three scoters. They have a black head and a white body. The males are slightly larger than the females. They feed on aquatic invertebrates, crustaceans, and algae. They are not typically hunted, but they can be eaten.

White-Winged Scoter

The White-Winged Scoter is a sea duck that breeds in the far north of North America. They are migratory, and winter in coastal waters from the Pacific coast to the Gulf of Mexico. These ducks are diving birds, and feed mainly on mollusks and crustaceans. They are not typically hunted, as they are not very edible. They have a strong flavor and a tough texture.

Shoveler

The shoveler is a duck that is found in North America and Eurasia. The diet of the shoveler consists of plant material, insects, and small fish. The shoveler is not typically hunted for its meat, but it is considered to be edible. The meat of the shoveler has been described as being “tough and gamy”.

Shorebirds

Shorebirds are not commonly eaten but are an important part of the hunting tradition. They are typically quite small, like the Lesser Yellowlegs, without a lot of meat on them.

They are opportunistic feeders–eating fish and other prey found at the water’s edge. Based on this diet, most birds taste like fish with a gamey aftertaste. Even though they are not edible, ethical hunting is still a net positive for the ecosystem.

Purple Gallinule

The purple gallinule (Porphyrio martinicus) is a chicken-sized water bird that is found in the wetlands of North America, Central America, and South America. The purple gallinule is usually seen walking on floating vegetation or moorland pools.

They consume a variety of food items but prefer seeds, aquatic invertebrates, and small amphibians. The purple gallinule is not typically hunted for food, but it can be eaten if properly dressed and cooked.

Common Gallinule

The Common Gallinule is a water bird that is typically found in marshes, ponds, and other wetlands. They are omnivorous, and their diet consists of plants insects, and snails. They are not typically hunted, as they are not considered to be very tasty.

Carolina Rail

The Carolina Rail is a game bird that is found in the eastern United States. The Carolina Rail is typically about 9 inches in length and has a wingspan of about 16 inches. The diet of the Carolina Rail consists of seeds, insects, and crustaceans.

Virginia Rail

The Virginia Rail is a small water bird that can be found in wetland areas across eastern North America. They are typically gray or black in color and have a long, thin bill. These birds are omnivores and eat both plant and animal material. They are considered to be edible, but they don’t taste very good.

Greater Yellowlegs

The Greater Yellowlegs is a migratory bird that is found in North America. The typical range of the bird is from the southern parts of Canada to Central America. The diet of the bird consists of insects, earthworms, crustaceans and other small invertebrates. The bird is considered to be edible and tastes like a mild chicken.

Lesser Yellowlegs

The Lesser Yellowlegs is a migratory bird that is typically found in the United States and Canada. The Lesser Yellowlegs feed on insects, crustaceans, and other small invertebrates.

Wilson’s Snipe

The Wilson’s snipe (Gallinago delicata) is a small, brown, and white bird that is found in North America. The bird is approximately 9 inches long and has a long, slender bill.

The Wilson’s snipe feeds on insects, earthworms, and other small invertebrates. The bird is considered to be edible, although it is not a popular game bird. The taste of Wilson’s snipe has been described as being “mild” and “gamey”.

Dressing & Storing Game Birds

Due to their feathers and small size, game birds can be tricky to dress, process, store, and cook. Here are a few tips for getting good meat on your plate.

Field dress the bird quickly after you kill it.
Pack cavity with dry grass or snow depending on weather to cool flesh
Choose to pluck feathers immediately to preserve skin or skin & pluck after bringing the bird home. If you pluck later at home, you’ll need to skin the bird to keep from making a mess of the meat.
At home, skin the bird, check for air pockets and freeze it for long-term storage
Cook with bacon to replace skin & provide moisture

Conserving Game Birds of North America

The North American bird population has been in steady decline for the last few decades. While there are many reasons for this, the main one is habitat loss. There are several things that we can do to help conserve these beautiful creatures. Conservation strategies focus on two general types – migratory and non-migratory.

The Migratory Bird Act is one of the most important laws in the history of conservation & hunting. The US law has not only successfully protected hundreds of species from extinction, but it has provided a model for countries around the world.

Non-migratory birds have also seen success thanks to active management, education & enforcement from state wildlife agencies. Hunters & non-hunters both play a major role in conservation.

For more in-depth look, check out the books Wilderness Warrior and Our Rightful Heritage by Douglas Brinkley about the history of the National Wildlife Refuge system and the development of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different types of game birds?

The different types of game birds include guinea fowl, partridges, peacocks, pheasants, pigeons and doves, quail or squab (a young pigeon), swans, wild turkeys, and certain ducks like mallards or wood ducks.

What is the hardest game bird to hunt?

The hardest game bird to hunt is pheasants, particularly when they are flying straight away from the hunter. It is more challenging to make a clean kill on these birds during long, going away shots, especially in dense cover. I prefer taking long crossing shots as the bird’s vital areas are more exposed in such situations. However, I make an effort to exercise restraint when attempting long shots on pheasants going away from me, especially in heavy cover.

What is the king of game birds?

The king of game birds is the Ruffed Grouse, also known as the “King” of Game Birds.

What game bird tastes like chicken?

The game bird that tastes similar to chicken is the guineafowl. Its meat is leaner, slightly darker, and has a more flavorful taste. While it may not be as gamey as other birds like pheasant, fans of guineafowl consider it a delicacy that reminds them of how chicken used to taste.

What makes a bird a game bird?

A bird becomes a game bird when it is hunted either for food or for sport.

What is the fastest game bird in North America?

The red-breasted merganser (Mergus serrator) holds the title for being the fastest game bird in North America, with a maximum recorded level flying speed of 130 km (81 mph). This species can be found in freshwater rivers and lakes across Europe, Asia, North America, and Greenland. It is worth noting that different sources have reported varying speeds for the merganser.

Is dove hunting considered upland?

Dove hunting is considered upland as it falls under the category of upland game bird hunts, which are managed hunting opportunities on both private and public lands. These hunts specifically target upland game birds such as pheasant, chukar, quail, wild turkey, and dove.

What is the most common game bird?

The most common game bird is the Ring-necked pheasant, followed by the Ruffed grouse, American woodcock, Bobwhite quail, and Dove.

What is the easiest game bird to hunt?

The easiest game birds to hunt are upland game birds such as pheasant, quail, grouse, chukar, and wild turkey, as well as waterfowl like ducks and geese. These game birds are widely available, provide an exhilarating shooting experience, and are simple to prepare and cook.

What is the largest game bird in America?

The largest game bird in America is the Wild Turkey, which is also known as North America’s largest upland game bird.

What is the most abundant game bird in North America?

The most abundant game bird in North America is the Mourning Dove, with a U.S. population estimated at 350 million. Hunters harvest over 20 million of these birds annually, yet they continue to thrive and remain one of the most widespread and plentiful bird species in the region.