White-tailed Ptarmigan

The White-tailed Ptarmigan, known as the snow quail, is the smallest member of the grouse family. This bird is a master of camouflage, with its plumage changing with the seasons. In summer, it sports a mottled gray, brown, and white coat, while in winter, it dons a pure white plumage, save for its consistently white wings, belly, and tail.

Identification Tips

To identify the White-tailed Ptarmigan, look for its rounded wings, square-ended tail, and small black beak. The legs are feathered down to the toes, a unique feature among birds. Males can be distinguished by their reddish eyecombs, and both sexes maintain white tail and wing feathers throughout the year. Their soft hoots and clucking noises can sometimes be heard, though they are generally silent.

Habitat

This alpine specialist resides permanently above or near the tree line, in open country with boulders, krummholz, snowfields, and rock slides. It is adapted to the harsh conditions of the high mountains, where vegetation pokes through the snow.

Distribution

The White-tailed Ptarmigan is native to Alaska, Canada, and the western United States, extending south to northern New Mexico. It has been introduced to the Sierra Nevada of California and the Uinta Mountains of Utah, with varying success.

Behaviour

The White-tailed Ptarmigan is more inclined to run than fly, conserving energy in its cold, high-altitude environment. Males establish territories in April, with females arriving in May for breeding. They are monogamous for the season, with males performing displays to attract mates.

Song & Calls

While typically silent, the White-tailed Ptarmigan may emit quiet, low-pitched hoots and soft clucking sounds.

Breeding

Nests are simple depressions on the ground, lined with grass and feathers. Clutches range from two to eight eggs, with chicks leaving the nest within hours of hatching. Initially feeding on insects, they transition to a plant-based diet as they mature.

Similar Species

The White-tailed Ptarmigan can be distinguished from the willow and rock ptarmigans by its finely barred greyish back, which contrasts with the browner plumage of its relatives.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the White-tailed Ptarmigan changes with the seasons, from nitrogen-rich leaves in spring to a variety of flowers, leaves, lichens, and berries in summer. In winter, they consume pine needles, seeds, and buds. They ingest grit to aid digestion and rely on bacteria in the cecum to extract nutrients from cellulose-rich winter food.

Conservation status

The IUCN lists the White-tailed Ptarmigan as "Least Concern." Stable populations and a wide range indicate no immediate threats. This bird serves as an indicator species for the health of the alpine tundra ecosystem.