The White-tailed Ptarmigan is a grouse of alpine (above treeline) habitats. It is the smallest grouse in North America (total length 30 to 31 cm, weight 295 to 440 grams), and the only species of grouse with white tail feathers. It possesses cryptic plumage that changes annually from white in winter to grayish-brown in summer. The sexes are similar in body size, shape, and winter plumage.
Breeding season males have a conspicuous necklace of coarsely barred brown and black breast feathers, while female plumage is predominantly brown and black with yellowish barring. Male plumage is generally more brown and gray than in the female. Males possess scarlet eye combs that are especially conspicuous during the breeding season; females have less conspicuous and smaller salmon-colored eye combs. In winter, in addition to the completely white plumage, the legs are heavily feathered to the ends of the toes, creating a snowshoe effect for walking on snow (Choate 1960, Braun et al. 1993).
herbivore
A willow ptarmigan is a type of bird that belongs to the grouse family. They are known for their ability to change the color of their feathers with the seasons, turning white in winter for camouflage and brown in summer. Willow ptarmigans are typically found in northern regions, such as Alaska, Canada, and Scandinavia.
white tailed deer
Yes, they are mammals and have a spine.
Lewis and Clark likely used white-tailed deer along with other game for survival during their expedition. However, the specific utilization of white-tailed deer by the Corps of Discovery remains inconclusive due to lack of detailed historical documentation.
In the USA, there are three species: Rock Ptarmigan, Willow Ptarmigan, and White-tailed Ptarmigan.
Ptarmigan. (Pronounced as if the P was not there)
Yes the white tailed parmigiana are in the alpine tundra
Tar-mi-gan.
could be ptarmigan
small
Somewhat taller at the shoulder, and much heavier than the white tailed deer.
Size of a large house cat
The ptarmigan does use camouflage by moulting white, winter plumage to brown spring plumage.
Yes. The three species of ptarmigans are; willow, rock, and white tailed. They are in family phasianidae, which includes turkeys, quail, grouse, and pheasants.
67"-77" long, and 35"-39" shoulderlength
In winter, white-tailed ptarmigan eat conifer needles and the buds and twigs of alders and alpine willows. During the summer, the birds eat the leaves and flowers of alpine plants as well as lichens, berries, seeds, and insects.