
A mid-sized, chicken-like bird of northern latitudes. Alternate Adult male is mottled brown and black above with red comb over eye, small black bill, white underparts with black spots on breast, white wings, and short feathered legs. Alternate Adult female is brown overall, lacking rufous tones, heavily barred with black on underparts; note white wings in flight. Basic Adults are entirely white, including tail. Juveniles are entirely brown, and, unlike adults, have brown wings. In all plumages, note relatively small bill, range, and habitat. Rock and Willow Ptarmigan can be extremely similar.
Length: 32 (cm) Wingspan: 56 (cm)
Voice:
Variety of clucking sounds, sometimes in loud series.
Habitat:
Rocky areas, montane habitats above treeline, tundra.
Behavior:
Walks on ground. Often quite unwary. Nest is on ground, lined with feathers and fine grasses, sheltered under vegetation.
Feeding:
Forages mostly on ground; eats a variety of buds, catkins, leaves, seeds, and occasional insects.
Field Notes
Expanded Life History
Feed Ecology And Diet | Contribute Content |
Nesting Habits | Contribute Content |
Migration Status | Contribute Content |
Conservation Status | Contribute Content |
Local Sites to Spot |
Primrose Ridge a.k.a. Mt. Margaret, Denali National Park Alaska by Doug Herr on June 29, 2014 at 10:03 pmMedicine Bow Bend, Rocky Mountain National Park by Doug Herr on June 29, 2014 at 10:03 pm |
Abundance Status | Contribute Content |
Adult Male Description | Contribute Content |
Adult Female Description | Contribute Content |
ITIS Taxonomic Number | Contribute Content |
Sonogram | Contribute Content |
Courtship | Contribute Content |
Reproductive Characteristics | Contribute Content |
Relationship to Humans | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Size & Shape | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Color & Pattern | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Habitat | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Behavior | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Wingspan | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Weight | Contribute Content |
Breeding | Contribute Content |
Cool Facts | Contribute Content |
Local Knowledge | Contribute Content |
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Sightings
Date | Submitted By | Count |
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07/04/11 | Christopher Hinkle, OR | 15 |
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