Rock Ptarmigan
Lagopus muta
Embed This Widget
Add the script tag and a data attribute to embed this widget.
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/birdfyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>
<div data-birdfyi="bird" data-slug="lagopus-muta"></div>Embed via iframe for maximum compatibility.
<iframe src="https://birdfyi.com/iframe/bird/lagopus-muta/" width="420" height="400" frameborder="0" style="border:0;border-radius:10px;max-width:100%" loading="lazy"></iframe>Paste this URL in WordPress, Medium, or any oEmbed-compatible platform.
https://birdfyi.com/bird/lagopus-muta/Add a dynamic SVG badge to your README or docs.
[](https://birdfyi.com/bird/lagopus-muta/)Use the native HTML custom element.
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/birdfyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>
<birdfyi-bird slug="lagopus-muta"></birdfyi-bird>À propos
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Envergure | 37,7 cm | 14.8 in |
| Poids | 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
Répartition géographique
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.
Statut de conservation
Comportement et reproduction
Nidification
Nest type: SC. Incubation: 21-24 days. Fledging: 33 days.
Taille de la couvée
3-11
Son
Chant
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.
Taxonomie
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Ordre | Galliformes (Gamebirds) |
| Famille | Phasianidae (Pheasants & Partridges) |
| Genus | Lagopus |
| Espèces | Lagopus muta |
Distribution
Rock Ptarmigan has been recorded in 3 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
What does the Rock Ptarmigan eat?
Where does the Rock Ptarmigan live?
Is the Rock Ptarmigan endangered?
How does the Rock Ptarmigan nest?
What does the Rock Ptarmigan sound like?
How big is the Rock Ptarmigan?
What order and family does the Rock Ptarmigan belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Phasianidae family