White-tailed Ptarmigan

Lagopus leucura

Population, Conservation Status, Threats:

The white-tailed ptarmigan is considered least concern by the IUCN. As they live in harsh environments at high elevations, they are fairly insulated from human disturbance, though they are very likely to be affected by climate change and loss of habitat due to warming.

Physical Description:

White-tailed ptarmigans are squat, pear-shaped birds with short beaks and feather-covered feet. During the winter, they are perfectly white, and in summer they are a mottled brown. Breeding males often display a red patch above the eye.

Colorado white-tailed ptarmigan range from the Colorado Division of Wildlife. White-tailed ptarmigan are present in the highest parts of the Colorado rocky mountains, mostly occurring above the tree line.

Habitat:

White-tailed ptarmigan live in tundra habitats, primarily above the treeline, at elevations over 14,000 feet. Rocks and short-growing vegetation provide cover, and during harsh periods in the winter, they may move below the treeline into forested land.

Behavior:

White-tailed ptarmigan do not migrate far, only moving into slightly lower elevations in the winter, staying in within alpine habitats year-round. They tend to flock together for protection most of the year, foraging in ground-feeding groups.

Diet:

While young ptarmigans may eat insects, adults are primarily vegetarian, feeding on what alpine plants they can find, including willows, sedges, pines, and grasses. They posses a gizzard, and must consume grit and small rocks to aid in the grinding and pulverizing of food.

Reproduction:

Males will viciously defend their territory during the breeding season, displaying to interested females, who will often nest in the territory of their selected mate. Females lay two to eight light brown eggs, which hatch in around three weeks. Males have no involvement in the incubation or raising of chicks, but the young will stay with the mother until the fall when they will separate to find their own winter flocks.

Associated Species:

White-tailed ptarmigan share their extremely high-elevation habitat with several other rugged species, including Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, pika, and introduced mountain goats.

Illustration by Willow Sedam

Sources: https://www.nps.gov/romo/learn/nature/ptarmigan.htm, https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-tailed_Ptarmigan/overview, https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/white-tailed-ptarmigan

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