willow ptarmigan

n.
The common ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) of Arctic regions, having brownish plumage that turns white in winter.

Lagopus lagopus

SUBFAMILY

Tetraoninae

TAXONOMY

Tetrao lagopus Linnaeus, 1758, Swedish Lapland. Nineteen subspecies.

OTHER COMMON NAMES

English: Red grouse, willow grouse; French: Lagopéde des saules; German: Moorschneehuhn; Spanish: Lagópodo Común.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

14–17 in (36–43 cm); male 0.9–1.8 lb (405–795 g); female 0.9–1.5 lb (405–700 g). Males have a rusty head and upper-parts, bright red eye combs, white underparts, and a black tail. Females are grayer, are more heavily barred on the breast and flanks, and lack the bright red eye combs. Both sexes are all white in winter except for black tail.

DISTRIBUTION

Circumpolar between 47° and 76°N.

HABITAT

Arctic tundra, sub-arctic scrub, and boreal forest edge; preferring moister areas with dwarf deciduous trees.

BEHAVIOR

In large groups of variable sex ratio in winter; males highly territorial in spring through calling from landmarks and in flight.

FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET

Willow and birch buds and twigs in winter; invertebrates taken especially by young chicks in summer; berries in fall.

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

Mostly monogamous. Pairs occupy exclusive territories; nesting starts April–June depending on latitude; clutch size eight to 11; incubation 22 days; male broods chicks; families remain together until fall.

CONSERVATION STATUS

Not threatened. Locally common and widespread.

SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS

Locally managed to provide a substantial hunted surplus; keenly hunted in the United Kingdom, Scandinavian countries, Finland, and Russia, with 2.4 million birds taken annually in these areas together.

Lagopus lagopus 16″ (40 cm). The Willow and Rock Ptarmigan are similar; in summer variable, brown or gray, with white wings and a white belly; in winter, white with black tails. In breeding plumage the male Willow Ptarmigan is more deeply chestnut about the head and body than the Rock. There is much variation between various molts.

Similar species: Some races of the Rock Ptarmigan are decidedly gray, finely barred. The bill is always smaller and more slender. In winter, male Rocks have a black mark between the eye and bill, lacking in both sexes of Willow Ptarmigan. Habitats differ; the Rock prefers higher, more barren hills.

Voice: Deep raucous calls, go-out, go-out. Male, a staccato crow, kwow, kwow, tobacco, tobacco, etc., or go-back, go-back.

Range: Arctic regions; circumpolar.

Habitat: Tundra, willow scrub, muskeg; in winter, sheltered valleys at lower altitudes.

---