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Willow Ptarmigan

Lagopus lagopus ORDER: GALLIFORMES FAMILY: PHASIANIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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Willow Ptarmigan Photo

© Tim Gallagher / CLO

A typical bird of the arctic tundra, the Willow Ptarmigan is the largest and most numerous of the three ptarmigan species.

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Appearance

Gamebirds
Gamebirds
Typical Voice

Adult Description

Medium to large chicken-like bird. Thick bodied. Tail moderately short, rounded, and black. Completely white in winter. Barred rusty brown in summer. Wings white.

Immature Description

Similar to adult.

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Willow Ptarmigan Range Map
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Field MarksHelp

Similar Species

  • Rock Ptarmigan has smaller bill, is grayer, lacks reddish tones, and some have black eyestripe in winter plumage.
  • White-tailed Ptarmigan is smaller and has all-white tail (difficult to see).