Willow Ptarmigan

Description: The largest of the ptarmigans, the willow ptarmigan has distinct seasonal plumage. In the summer, it’s a mottled brown, black, white, and chestnut with white undersides, whereas in the winter, it’s mostly white with 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. Both sexes are similar, although the male has a red comb over the eyes and is more reddish in the summer, whereas the female is browner. Average size: 15-17 inches. Average weight: 1¼-1½ pounds.

Science: Found throughout Alaska and most of the Canadian Arctic, the willow ptarmigan is the most widespread of all ptarmigans. It takes its name from its habit of spending time in willow thickets near rivers and streams. The feathered toes act as snowshoes in the winter and it buries itself in snow banks for protection and warmth. Birds move into the southern part of the range in winter. In the summer, they eat blueberries and crowberries, while in the winter, they eat buds, catkins, and the twigs of willow, alder, and birch. Also in the winter, they form huge flocks in the thousands segregated by sex. The population can fluctuate significantly from one season to the next, but experts believe it is stable over the long term.

Hunting: While these birds are known to be relatively tame and approachable, getting to them can be arduous. Hunters look for these birds in the southern part of their range in the late fall and early winter. The eating quality is good: the meat is dark but mild. Older birds may be tough.