Another: In the Western Mountains of the US, Spruce Grouse will shelter in the umbrella cover provided by Spruce Trees. Often, as in this year, the snow weighs the branches down, and, as it continues snowing, the drooping branches become an "Igloo" for the Grouse. The spruce BUDS, developing over the winter, feed hungry grouse inside the branches . Works well, because they dont need to drink; there's enough water in the buds they eat...
But if there are too many 'snow days' or too many grouse eating the buds that make spring growth, the buds will become toxic enough to make the birds ill...at which point the grouse will seek other food and leave the buds alone...Grouse can live ten years or so, and theres evidence to suspect they remember these toxic episodes and avoid the trees when they can.
