Rock Ptarmigan

36 cm (14") Common. Arctic. Mountain areas above tree line.

Summer: mottled black on brown. Similar to Willow Ptarmigan but less reddish in summer and slightly smaller with more slender bill. White wings and black tail year round.

Winter: all white except for black tail; told from Willow Ptarmigan by black eye line. Plumage is patchy white during spring and fall molts.

Song: long snoring call.

Videos

Images

Credit: Richard Droker

Credit: Jan Frode Haugseth

Credit: squallidon

Credit: Northern Bird 8