Rock ptarmigan

Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) is a medium-sized gamebird in the grouse family. It is known simply as the ptarmigan in the UK and in Canada, where it is the official bird for the territory of Nunavut, Canada, and the official game bird for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. A sedentary species, the Rock Ptarmigan breeds across arctic and subarctic Eurasia and North America (including Greenland) on rocky mountainsides and tundra.

Description

The Rock Ptarmigan is seasonally camouflaged; its feathers molt from white in winter to brown in spring or summer. The breeding male has greyish upper parts with white wings and under parts. In winter, its plumage becomes completely white except for the black tail. It can be distinguished from the winter Willow Ptarmigan by habitat.

Behavior

The Rock Ptarmigan is a hardy bird, able to tolerate cold temperatures and high winds. It feeds primarily on birch and willow buds and catkins when available. It will also eat various seeds, leaves, flowers and berries of other plant species. Insects are taken by the developing young.

Distribution and habitat

The Rock Ptarmigan has a large range, with an estimated global extent of occurrence of 100,000 to 1,000,000 square kilometers. It is found in the Arctic and subarctic regions of North America, Europe, and Asia, preferring rocky areas.

Conservation status

The Rock Ptarmigan is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN due to its wide distribution and presumed large population.

Cultural significance

In Canada, the Rock Ptarmigan is both the official bird of Nunavut and the official game bird of Newfoundland and Labrador. Its adaptation to severe arctic conditions makes it a symbol of hardiness and survival.