White-tailed Ptarmigan
Lagopus leucura
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<birdfyi-bird slug="lagopus-leucura"></birdfyi-bird>À propos
The smallest ptarmigan (~360 g) of family Phasianidae; the only ptarmigan with a white tail year-round. Inhabits alpine tundra and rocky slopes above treeline in the Rocky Mountains from Alaska to New Mexico. Plumage turns all-white in winter for camouflage. Feeds on willows, sedges, and berries. Least Concern; well adapted to extreme mountain environments but vulnerable to climate warming.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Envergure | 34,6 cm | 13.6 in |
| Poids | 361,8 g | 12.76 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Winter: entirely white; summer: back and breast mottled brown-and-white; tail always white, unlike other ptarmigans; red eye-comb; feathered feet white year-round. All-white tail in all seasons is unique.
Habitat & Range
Répartition géographique
Breeds in alpine tundra from Alaska south through the Rockies to New Mexico. Largely resident, descending to lower elevations in winter.
Diet & Feeding
Eats alpine willow and heather buds and leaves; switches to berries and insects in summer. Digs through snow for winter forage.
Statut de conservation
Comportement et reproduction
Nidification
Nest type: SC. Incubation: 22-23 days.
Taille de la couvée
2-9
Son
Chant
Soft, chicken-like clucking 'ko-ko-ko'; quiet relative to other ptarmigan. Alarm is a sharp 'kek' series. Males give low, croaking calls on alpine tundra at dawn. Flock contact is muted burbling.
Taxonomie
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Ordre | Galliformes (Gamebirds) |
| Famille | Phasianidae (Pheasants & Partridges) |
| Genus | Lagopus |
| Espèces | Lagopus leucura |
Distribution
White-tailed Ptarmigan has been recorded in 1 countries.
{# Distribution Map — simplified SVG world map with highlighted countries. Expects `country_codes` variable: list of ISO alpha-2 codes (e.g. ["US", "CA", "MX"]). Uses Alpine.js to toggle classes on country paths. #}countries highlighted
External Databases
Foire aux questions
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Similar Birds
Other species in the Phasianidae family