Ptarmigan

Name: Ptarmigan, Rock Ptarmigan, Snow Chicken, RaichÅ, White Grouse, White Game (Lagopus muta)

Length: 35 centimetres

Weight: 450 to 640 grams

Location: Remote regions of Arctic and subarctic North America, Greenland, and mountains of the Pyrenees, Alps, Urals, Altay, Japan, and Scotland. Also introduced to South Georgia, New Zealand, and the Kerguelen and Crozet Islands.

Conservation status: Least Concern

Diet: Berries, leaves, buds, seeds, flowers. Juveniles also eat insects.

Appearance: Summer - brown with darker stripes. Winter - white

How do Ptarmigans feed?

Ptarmigans are ground feeders, similar to chickens.

Are Ptarmigans social?

Ptarmigan migration flocks can number in the hundreds. Outside of migration and breeding season, they live in flocks of dozens for protection, usually segregated by sex.

What are Ptarmigan birthing rituals like?

Ptarmigans become sexually mature at 6 months.

Males display for females and show aggression towards other males through their combs. The comb size affects mating success and monogamy.

Males remain winter white during mating season, making them visible against brown fields.

Nests are built on sparsely vegetated tundra, lined with feathers, grass, lichens, and leaves.

Up to 13 (average 6) chicks are born per clutch. Females moult to summer colors for camouflage during mating season, making nests hard to spot.

Chicks leave the nest within half a day after hatching.

How long do Ptarmigans live?

Ptarmigans live about 2 years in the wild.

How many Ptarmigans are there today?

The worldwide population is estimated at over 8 million individuals.

Do Ptarmigans have any natural predators?

Ptarmigans are prey to owls, foxes, and lynx.

7 Profound Ptarmigan Facts

1. The Ptarmigan is the official bird of Nunavut, Canada.

2. It's the official game bird of Labrador and Newfoundland.

3. The Japanese name RaichÅ means "thunder bird." Ptarmigans are protected in Japan and are the official bird of Toyama Prefecture.

4. Ptarmigans are part of the Grouse family.

5. The name Lagopus comes from Greek words meaning "hare" and "foot," referring to their feathered legs.

6. Muta is Latin for "mute," referring to the male's croaking call.

7. "Ptarmigan" is derived from the Scottish Gaelic word tà rmachan, meaning "croaker."