Willow Ptarmigan
Lagopus lagopus
Morphology 3
Willow ptarmigan have chunky bodies, ranging from 28 to 43 cm long, and weighing and average of 0.57 kg. They have short legs with feathered toes, a feature that enables them to navigate through loose snow. They have short tails (with an average of 118 mm or more for males and 116 mm or less for females) and wings (when folded, an average of 190 mm or more for males and 190 mm or less for females).
Willow ptarmigan molt seasonally. Their winter plumage is usually complete by November, depending on the geographic region of the population. It consists of white feathers covering the entire body except the tail, which remains black. However, the tail is often covered by other feathers on the body, making the bird appear completely white. When the spring arrives, the females’ plumage becomes a mottled brown and ochre, while the males have a rusty hazel or chestnut coloring with darker brown barring on the entire body except for the wings and tail. They also have red “combs” on their eyes which are generally more visible during the warmer months. During the fall, the plumage of both male and female willow ptarmigan becomes lighter, with the females’ plumage becoming more gray and white. The males keep the dark barring pattern but take on more ochre tones.
Associations 4
Willow ptarmigan have many known predators, many of which prey solely on eggs or willow ptarmigan chicks. It has been observed that predation on willow ptarmigan nests is much more common by avian predators than by mammalian predators. In response to predators, willow ptarmigan will often freeze in a crouching position with their heads lowered and extended. They may perform a diversionary walk to distract predators from the nest or their mate, and may also feign injury by moving slowly along the ground while quivering their wings. This movement makes the ptarmigan appear as though it is dragging itself. One of the most important anti-predator adaptations of willow ptarmigan is plumage that seasonally changes with the environment. As the snow melts and the surroundings change color, moulting from white to mottled brown occurs very quickly to ensure optimal camouflage. The same pattern is followed for each seasonal change, with the plumage rapidly changing to match the environment. It has also been observed that female willow ptarmigan will choose feeding areas in which they will be better camouflaged rather than ones that offer better nutritional benefits.
Conservation status 5
Willow ptarmigan are extremely widespread and their conservation status is of least concern. However, as of 2009, they were classified as critically imperiled in the province of Alberta, Canada. This does not follow the general trend for Canadian willow grouse populations, as populations in other provinces are classified as being either secure, apparently secure or unknown/under review.
Several new possible threats to ptarmigan populations have emerged in recent years. Although ecotourism has not directly altered ptarmigan populations, it has inadvertently contributed to the destruction of already fragile habitats that support this species. Pollutants are also becoming a more serious problem to many Arctic populations, including willow ptarmigan.
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
Sources and Credits
- (c) Gavan Watson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/34259482@N00/895242625
- Bowman, Tim, no known copyright restrictions (public domain), https://www.biolib.cz/IMG/GAL/21054.jpg
- Adapted by L.G. Johanson from a work by (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31400338
- (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31400343
- (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31400347
More Info
Range Map
iNaturalist.ca Map
| Animal | Bird |
|---|---|
| Bird | Pheasants Chickens etc (Phasianidae) |
| Color | brown, red, white |
