White-tailed Ptarmigan
The White-tailed Ptarmigan, Lagopus leucura, is the smallest bird in the grouse family. It is found in the mountains of the western United States, Canada and Alaska.
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| White-tailed Ptarmigan |
image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwsmtnprairie/
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| White-tailed Ptarmigan |
image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwsmtnprairie/
Description
The White-tailed Ptarmigan is the smallest of the ptarmigans and the smallest bird in the grouse family. Adults are 11.8 to 12.2 inches (30 to 31 cm) long, with the males being only slightly larger than the females. The average weight is 11.6 to 16.9 ounces (330 to 480 g). In the winter, this bird displays white plumage, while it appears grayish brown and speckled during the summer months. Both sexes maintain white tail and wing feathers year-round, and males are identified by reddish eyecombs year-round. http://worldbirdinfo.net/Pages/BirdMediaView.aspx
The White-tailed Ptarmigan is the only bird to permanently reside in the alpine zone. This zone includes rocky areas, krummholz, snowfields, and meadows.
The White-tailed Ptarmigan is the only bird to permanently reside in the alpine zone. This zone includes rocky areas, krummholz, snowfields, and meadows.
