White-tailed Ptarmigan
Lagopus leucura
The White-tailed Ptarmigan (Lagopus leucura) is a rare partridges, pheasants, grouse, and alli found in 2 countries, weighing about 355 g. The white-tailed ptarmigan, also known as the snow quail, is the smallest bird in the grouse tribe.
About the White-tailed Ptarmigan
The white-tailed ptarmigan, also known as the snow quail, is the smallest bird in the grouse tribe. It is a permanent resident of high altitudes on or above the tree line and is native to Alaska and the mountainous parts of Canada and the western United States. Its plumage is cryptic and varies at different times of the year. In the summer it is speckled in gray, brown and white whereas in winter it is wholly white. At all times of year the wings, belly and tail are white. The white-tailed ptarmigan has a diet of buds, leaves, flowers and seeds. The nest is a simple depression in the ground in which up to eight eggs are laid. After hatching, the chicks soon leave the nest. At first they eat…
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The white-tailed ptarmigan is the smallest of the ptarmigans and the smallest bird in the grouse tribe. It is a stocky bird with rounded wings, square-ended tail, small black beak and short legs with feathering extending to the toes. Adults are 31 to 34 centimetres (12 to 13 in) long, with the males being only slightly larger than the females. The average weight is 325 grams (11.5 oz). During the summer, the white-tailed ptarmigan is a speckled grayish brown with white underparts, tail and wings.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: April, June, July, August, September, October, with peak activity in July. It is a summer visitor species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a White-tailed Ptarmigan?
- The white-tailed ptarmigan is the smallest of the ptarmigans and the smallest bird in the grouse tribe. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a White-tailed Ptarmigan?
- The White-tailed Ptarmigan is a large sized bird weighing about 355 g.
- Where can you see a White-tailed Ptarmigan?
- The White-tailed Ptarmigan occurs in 2 countries, including the United States and Canada.
- What birds look similar to a White-tailed Ptarmigan?
- The White-tailed Ptarmigan is most easily confused with the Rock Ptarmigan and the Willow Ptarmigan.
- Is the White-tailed Ptarmigan endangered?
- The White-tailed Ptarmigan is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the White-tailed Ptarmigan for real
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