Rock Ptarmigan
Lagopus muta
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<birdfyi-bird slug="lagopus-muta"></birdfyi-bird>About
A medium-sized grouse of the order Galliformes inhabiting arctic and alpine tundra across the Holarctic. Weighing ~609 g, it undergoes three annual moults, turning white in winter for camouflage. Feeds on buds, leaves, and berries. Least Concern.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 37.7 cm | 14.8 in |
| Weight | 608.5 g | 21.46 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Seasonally dimorphic: brilliant snow-white in winter with black loral stripe in males; mottled grey-brown and buff in summer with intricate dark vermiculations; females lack black loral mark.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Circumpolar resident of Arctic and alpine tundra across North America, Europe, and Asia. Resident or short-distance altitudinal migrant.
Diet & Feeding
Eats alpine plants, buds, berries, seeds, and lichen; shifts to willow/birch buds in winter when snow covers ground vegetation.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: SC. Incubation: 21-24 days. Fledging: 33 days.
Clutch Size
3-11
Sound
Song
Males produce a belching, rattling 'er-err-errr-karr' from rocky alpine terrain; deep, guttural, and frog-like. Alarm is sharp 'kek-kek'. Contact calls low and rolling; female clucks softly.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes (Gamebirds) |
| Family | Phasianidae (Pheasants & Partridges) |
| Genus | Lagopus |
| Species | Lagopus muta |
Distribution
Rock Ptarmigan has been recorded in 3 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Rock Ptarmigan eat?
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Is the Rock Ptarmigan endangered?
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What order and family does the Rock Ptarmigan belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Phasianidae family