Rock Ptarmigan

The Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) is a medium-sized game bird belonging to the grouse family. In Europe, it is simply known as the ptarmigan. This bird is adept at seasonal camouflage, changing its plumage from white in winter to brown in spring or summer. The male, during breeding season, sports greyish upper parts with white wings and underparts. In winter, the plumage is predominantly white, save for the black tail feathers and a distinctive eye line.

Identification Tips

The Rock Ptarmigan measures approximately 34–36 cm in length, with a wingspan of 54–60 cm, and weighs between 440–640 grams. It is slightly smaller than its cousin, the Willow Ptarmigan. To identify the Rock Ptarmigan, look for its slender bill and black eye stripe, which is absent in the Willow Ptarmigan. In winter, the Rock Ptarmigan can be distinguished by its preference for higher elevations and more barren habitats compared to the Willow Ptarmigan.

Habitat

This bird favors the rocky mountainsides and tundra of the Arctic and Subarctic regions. It thrives in the harsh conditions of the Arctic Cordillera and can be found in isolated populations across various mountain ranges, including those in Norway, Scotland, the Pyrenees, the Alps, Bulgaria, the Urals, the Pamir Mountains, the Altay Mountains, and Japan.

Distribution

The Rock Ptarmigan is a sedentary species with a broad distribution across Eurasia and North America, including Greenland. It has been introduced to New Zealand, South Georgia, the Kerguelen Islands, and the Crozet Islands.

Behaviour

The Rock Ptarmigan is known for its approachability due to the limited number of predators in its remote habitat. It does not hibernate but remains active throughout the winter, surviving on rich vegetation found in areas such as high cliffs where seabird colonies are located during summer.

Song & Calls

The male Rock Ptarmigan produces a simple croaking song and a variety of guttural snores and rattles, particularly during the breeding season. Aerial courtship displays are accompanied by a rasping call that can be likened to a stick being pulled rapidly across a picket fence.

Breeding

Rock Ptarmigans reach sexual maturity at six months and can have up to six chicks. The male's comb, a fleshy red structure above the eye, plays a role in sexual selection, with larger combs being associated with higher mating success in the first year.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Rock Ptarmigan varies by region. In Alaska, for example, they feed on aspen, dwarf birch, and willow buds in winter, transitioning to berries and shrubs in spring. During summer, they consume leaves, flowers, and seeds, and chicks feed on insects, larvae, and snails.

Conservation status

The Rock Ptarmigan is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, its population has seen declines in certain areas, leading to hunting restrictions in places like Iceland.

Similar Species

The Rock Ptarmigan can be confused with the Willow Ptarmigan in winter when both species have white plumage. However, the Rock Ptarmigan's black eye stripe and preference for higher, rockier terrain can help distinguish it from the Willow Ptarmigan.

In culture

The Rock Ptarmigan holds cultural significance in various regions. It is the official bird of the Canadian territory of Nunavut and the official game bird of Newfoundland and Labrador. In Japan, it is known as the "thunder bird" and is a protected species nationwide. The bird's meat is considered a delicacy in Icelandic cuisine.