Final answer:
The upland game bird known for 'drumming' during its mating season is the grouse. This drumming is a series of sounds made as part of its mating display, distinct from the behaviors of pheasants, quail, or ducks.
Step-by-step explanation:
The upland game bird that may be heard “drumming” during mating season is the grouse. This distinctive sound is part of the mating display, designed to attract females. The grouse's drumming is a series of low-frequency sounds created by the rapid beating of its wings against the air, which is a behavior not typically found in birds like pheasants, quail, or ducks.
Ducks, for example, are considered waterfowl and have different behaviors associated with their habitats and mating rituals. Other birds, such as parrots and bowerbirds, have their unique courtship displays, like vocalizations and bower constructions, which are also distinct from the drumming of a grouse.