White-tailed Ptarmigan

Overview

The white-tailed ptarmigan (Lagopus leucura), also known as the snow quail, is the smallest bird in the grouse tribe. It is a permanent resident of high altitudes on or above the tree line, native to Alaska and the mountainous parts of Canada and the western United States.

Identification

• Size and shape: Stocky body with rounded wings, a square-ended tail, and short legs with feathering extending to the toes.
• Plumage: Cryptic coloration that changes seasonally; speckled gray, brown and white in summer, turning reddish-brown in autumn, and wholly white in winter. Wings, belly and tail remain white year-round.
• Markings: Finely barred greyish back distinguishes it from browner relatives; males possess reddish eyecombs above the eyes present throughout the year.
• Size: Adults measure 31 to 34 cm in length with an average weight of 325 grams.

Habitat

This alpine species occupies open country above or near the timber line, including boulder fields, krummholz, snowfields, and rock slides. It ranges from Alaska and western Canada south to northern New Mexico, remaining in high valleys and mountain slopes even during winter.

Diet

The bird is herbivorous, consuming snow buttercup leaves in spring, and willow catkins, mountain avens, lichens and berries in summer. In autumn and winter, it feeds on pine needles, seeds, and willow or alder buds, relying on bacteria-aided digestion in the cecum to process high-cellulose winter foods.

Did you know?

The white-tailed ptarmigan is the only bird in North America to reside permanently in the alpine zone. It serves as an indicator species for the health of the alpine tundra ecosystem.