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White-tailed Ptarmigan

Lagopus leucura

Least Concern
Rentang Sayap
34,6 cm
Berat
361,8 g
Famili
Phasianidae
Ordo
Galliformes

Tentang

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
Rentang Sayap 34,6 cm 13.6 in
Berat 361,8 g 12.76 oz

Identifikasi

Bulu

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

Rentang Geografis

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.

Status Konservasi

Least Concern
IUCN Red List

Perilaku & Berkembang Biak

Bersarang

Nest type: SC. Incubation: 22-23 days.

Ukuran Sarang

2-9

Suara

Kicauan

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.

Taksonomi

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Ordo Galliformes (Gamebirds)
Famili Phasianidae (Pheasants & Partridges)
Genus Lagopus
Spesies Lagopus leucura

Distribution

White-tailed Ptarmigan has been recorded in 1 countries.

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Hadir Not recorded
{# Simplified country/region shapes — major landmasses with ISO alpha-2 data attributes. These are simplified polygon representations for visual distribution display. #}

countries highlighted

External Databases

Pertanyaan yang Sering Diajukan

What does the White-tailed Ptarmigan eat?
Eats alpine willow and heather buds and leaves; switches to berries and insects in summer. Digs through snow for winter forage.
Where does the White-tailed Ptarmigan live?
Breeds in alpine tundra from Alaska south through the Rockies to New Mexico. Largely resident, descending to lower elevations in winter.
Is the White-tailed Ptarmigan endangered?
The White-tailed Ptarmigan has a conservation status of Least Concern.
How does the White-tailed Ptarmigan nest?
Nest type: SC. Incubation: 22-23 days.
What does the White-tailed Ptarmigan sound like?
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.
How big is the White-tailed Ptarmigan?
The White-tailed Ptarmigan has a wingspan of 34.6 cm, weight of 361.8 g.
What order and family does the White-tailed Ptarmigan belong to?
The White-tailed Ptarmigan (Lagopus leucura) belongs to the order Galliformes and the family Phasianidae.

Similar Birds

Other species in the Phasianidae family

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