Willow ptarmigan
Lagopus lagopus
Identification Tips:
- Medium-sized, stocky, round-winged, chicken-like bird
- Squarish black tail
- Small black bill
- Legs and toes feathered
- Brown or white uppertail coverts cover center of tail
Male alternate:
- Red comb over eye
- Reddish-brown head and neck
- White wings and leg feathering
- Body reddish-brown barred with black or white depending on molt stage
Female alternate:
- Brown plumage with black spotting and barring
- Small red comb over eye
Basic:
- Entirely white plumage except for dark brownish tail
- Small red comb over eye
Similar species:
In alternate plumage, the males are distinctive with their reddish-brown
head and neck. Rock and White-tailed Ptarmigan are browner. In all plumages
White-tailed Ptarmigan has a white, rather than black tail. Female Willow
Ptarmigans are difficult to separate from female Rock Ptarmigans but Rocks
have a smaller bill. In basic plumage, the Rock Ptarmigan often has a black
eyeline.