Rock Ptarmigan
With a large population around the Arctic and sub-Arctic, the Rock Ptarmigan is known for its incredible camouflage skills and year-round residency in these regions.
Facts about Rock Ptarmigan
- Arctic
- Canada
- Greenland
- Iceland
- Svalbard
- Europe
- France
- Norway
- Scotland
Rock Ptarmigan Quick Overview
Scientific Name: Lagopus muta
Population: Estimated at over 8 million globally
Regions: High Arctic and sub-Arctic regions across Eurasia and North America
Destinations: Iceland, Canada, Svalbard, Greenland, France, Norway, Scotland
Average Length: Adult: ~31–38 cm (12–15 in); Newborn: ~5–6 cm (~2 in)
Average Weight: Adult: Males: ~0.65–0.75 kg (1.4–1.7 lbs), Females: ~0.5–0.6 kg (1.1–1.3 lbs); Newborn: ~15–20 g (0.5–0.7 oz)
Diet Habits: Buds, leaves, berries, seeds and insects
Rock Ptarmigan Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Galliformes
Family: Phasianidae
Genus: Lagopus
Species: Lagopus muta
Rock Ptarmigan Explorer Passport
English: Rock Ptarmigan
Danish: Fjeldrype
Chinese: 岩雷鸟
Swedish: Fjällripa
Finnish: Kiiruna
Norwegian: Fjellrype
Polish: Pardwa górska
Japanese: ライチョウ (Raichō)
Spanish: Perdiz nival
French: Lagopède alpin
Questions Guests Ask About Rock Ptarmigan
What does a Rock Ptarmigan look like?
Some of the most distinctive rock ptarmigan characteristics are a small head, round body, feathered legs and short, rounded wings. Additionally, another rock ptarmigan adaptation for survival in the wild is their seasonal plumage changes.
- Winter: Both sexes are pure white with black tails and beaks for camouflage in the snow.
- Summer: Females turn fully brown to blend with the tundra landscape. Males retain white areas on their stomach and wings, the back is grey with small dark and light spots, and has a red patch over the eyes.
Where do Rock Ptarmigan live?
The rock ptarmigan's habitat is the tundra and remote mountainous regions across the Arctic and sub-Arctic. During winter, it is the only terrestrial bird that stays in Svalbard and one of the few animals that remain in Greenland, which is possible due to its insulating plumage.
How big is a Rock Ptarmigan?
Considered as one of the largest land birds in Svalbard, an adult rock ptarmigan ranges from 31 to 38 cm (12.2–15 in) in length with a wingspan of 50 to 60 cm (19.7–23.6 in) and weighs 500 to 700 g (17.6–26.5 oz).
What do Rock Ptarmigan eat?
The rock ptarmigan diet is primarily vegetarian, including buds, leaves, berries, and seeds. During the summer months, the female rock ptarmigan also eats insects.
What eats Rock Ptarmigan in the tundra?
The rock ptarmigan predators include owls, Arctic foxes, lynxes, glaucous gulls and Arctic skuas.
What is the lifespan of a Rock Ptarmigan?
The rock ptarmigan's lifespan is short, usually 3 to 5 years. This is due to the large amount of predators.
What are the key Rock Ptarmigan adaptations?
For this bird to thrive in the Arctic's cold weather, it must have be adapted to this environment for survival.
- Insulating plumage, even on the legs and feet.
- Seasonal color changes (white in winter, brown/grey in summer).
- Burrowing into the snow to stay warm during winter.
- Ability to stay active and non-migratory even during the polar night.
How Many of These 10 Rock Ptarmigan Facts Did You Already Know?
Fact #1: Despite their short wings, rock ptarmigan are capable of flying and can migrate up to 1,000 km around Greenland.
Fact #2: Rock ptarmigan sounds like a croaking call, especially from males during the breeding season.
Fact #3: When rock ptarmigan breeds, it usually lays 3 to 12 eggs.
Fact #4: Incubation is performed only by female rock ptarmigans, lasting about three weeks.
Fact #5: They can start flying in two weeks after being born.
Fact #6: Rock ptarmigan's flight alternates between high-speed wing strokes and gliding.
Fact #7: They breed on bare mountains and in the tundra
Fact #8: They spend most of their lives on the ground, but rock ptarmigans are capable of flying.
Fact #9: Rock ptarmigans are classified as ‘Near Threatened’ by the IUCN Red List.
Fact #10: They do not migrate.
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