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Help develop a Bird ID tool!

Willow Ptarmigan

Lagopus lagopus ORDER: GALLIFORMES FAMILY: PHASIANIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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.

Range Map Help

Willow Ptarmigan Range Map
View dynamic map of eBird sightings

Field MarksHelp

  • Male breeding
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    Willow Ptarmigan

    Male breeding
    • © Tim Gallagher / CLO
  • Adults nonbreeding
    Zoom In

    Willow Ptarmigan

    Adults nonbreeding
    • © Dan Stosits / CLO
  • Female breeding
    Zoom In

    Willow Ptarmigan

    Female breeding
    • © Lynn Grace / CLO
  • Female breeding
    Zoom In

    Willow Ptarmigan

    Female breeding
    • © 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Churchill, Manitoba, Canada

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).