A small alpine grouse that turns completely white in winter. Found in highest alpine zones of western mountains.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The white-tailed ptarmigan, 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 and is native to Alaska and the mountainous parts of Canada and the western United States. Its plumage is cryptic and varies at different times of the year. In the summer it is speckled in gray, brown and white whereas in winter it is wholly white. At all times of year the wings, belly and tail are white. The white-tailed ptarmigan has a diet of buds, leaves, flowers and seeds. The nest is a simple depression in the ground in which up to eight eggs are laid. After hatching, the chicks soon leave the nest. At first they eat insects but later move on to an adult diet, their mother using vocalisations to help them find suitable plant food. The population seems to be stable and the IUCN lists this species as being of Least Concern.
Source: Wikipedia — White-tailed ptarmigan Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Small grouse that is mottled gray-brown in summer and pure white in winter; the tail is white in all seasons (unlike other ptarmigan).
Similar species. Willow and Rock ptarmigan have black tails; the all-white tail is diagnostic for White-tailed, as is its high-alpine habitat.
Voice. Soft clucks, hen-like cackles, and a series of low hoots from displaying males.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Seeds, buds, fruits, insects.
Behavior. The smallest grouse and the only ptarmigan of the alpine zone south of Canada; superbly camouflaged, it turns all white in winter and survives above treeline year-round.
§ Range
Alpine regions of western mountains, Alaska
§ Habitat
Alpine tundra
§ Threats
Alpine habitat loss to climate change.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the white-tailed ptarmigan is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Support alpine wilderness protection.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — White-tailed ptarmigan
- www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Lagopus leucura
- IUCN Red List — search for Lagopus leucura
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Lagopus leucura
§ Sources cited
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology — All About Birds
- National Audubon Society
- iNaturalist
- IUCN Red List
