Rock Ptarmigan
Lagopus muta
The Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) is a uncommon partridges, pheasants, grouse, and alli found in 21 countries, weighing about 535 g. The rock ptarmigan is a medium-sized game bird in the grouse tribe.
About the Rock Ptarmigan
The rock ptarmigan is a medium-sized game bird in the grouse tribe. It is known simply as the ptarmigan in Europe. It is the official bird for the Canadian territory of Nunavut, where it is known as the aqiggiq (ᐊᕿᒡᒋᖅ), and the official game bird for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. In Japan, it is known as the raichō (雷鳥), which means "thunder bird"; it is the official bird of Gifu, Nagano, and Toyama Prefectures and is a protected species nationwide.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The rock ptarmigan is 34–36 cm (13–14 in) long with an 8 cm (3.1 in) tail and with a wingspan of 54–60 cm (21–24 in) and a weight of 440–640 g (15.5–22.6 oz). It is about ten percent smaller than the willow ptarmigan. The rock ptarmigan is camouflaged to match the seasons; its feathers moult from white in winter to grey and brown in spring or summer. The breeding male has greyish upper parts with white wings and underparts. In winter, its plumage becomes completely white except for the black outer tail feathers and eye line.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Spain.
When to see it
Best months: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, with peak activity in June. It is a summer visitor species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Rock Ptarmigan?
- The rock ptarmigan is 34–36 cm (13–14 in) long with an 8 cm (3.1 in) tail and with a wingspan of 54–60 cm (21–24 in) and a weight of 440–640 g (15.5–22.6 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Rock Ptarmigan?
- The Rock Ptarmigan is a large sized bird weighing about 535 g.
- Where can you see a Rock Ptarmigan?
- The Rock Ptarmigan occurs in 21 countries, including France, Norway, Iceland, Sweden and the United States.
- What birds look similar to a Rock Ptarmigan?
- The Rock Ptarmigan is most easily confused with the White-tailed Ptarmigan and the Willow Ptarmigan.
- Is the Rock Ptarmigan endangered?
- The Rock Ptarmigan is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Rock Ptarmigan for real
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