Rock Ptarmigan

Description: The rock ptarmigan is known as the quintessential arctic bird due to its ability to thrive in this harsh environment year-round. It has distinctive plumage that changes with the seasons: in the summer, it’s a mottled gray-brown with black tail feathers and a white belly and wing, while in the winter, it’s all-white apart from its black tail feathers. The feet are feathered to the ends of the toes in the winter and feathered to the base of the feet in the summer. The sexes are similar, though males have red eye combs and black bars through the eyes in winter. The males may also be slightly darker in the summer. Average size: 12-14 inches. Average weight: 1-1 ¼ pounds.

Science: Rock ptarmigans are found in upland tundra with heath or willow thickets above the timberline throughout Alaska and the sub-arctic tundra regions of Canada, then move to the southern part of their range only in the harshest winter conditions. In the summer, they eat the buds and flowers of birch trees, as well as various berries and seeds. In the winter, they eat dried leaves and the buds and twigs of willow trees. They form family groups which join other groups to form packs of as many as three hundred birds. They often roost with snow covering their entire bodies apart from the head; their feathered toes act as snowshoes. Their population can fluctuate significantly from one season to the next, but experts believe it is stable over the long term.

Hunting: These birds are known to be relatively tame and approachable; however, reaching them can be arduous due to the remote rocky terrain they inhabit. The eating quality is good: the meat is dark but mild. Older birds may be tough.