General

Willow Ptarmigan: Small grouse with rust-brown upperparts, head, and breast, white eye-ring, orange-red eye comb, and white wings, belly, and leg feathers; tail is brown with darker edges. Female is brown overall with heavy white bars and white eyebrows. Winter adult is all white with dark-edged tail and small orange-red eye combs.

Range and Habitat

Willow Ptarmigan: Ranges from Alaska to Labrador and south to central British Columbia, northern Ontario, and central Quebec; also found in parts of northern Asia and Europe. Inhabits tundra and thickets with alder and willow trees.

Breeding and Nesting

Willow Ptarmigan: Five to seventeen brown splotched, yellow eggs are laid in a ground hollow lined with feathers and grass. Incubation ranges from 21 to 22 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Willow Ptarmigan: Feeds on flowers, buds, and insects. Eats twigs and buds from willows and alders in the winter.

Vocalization

Willow Ptarmigan: During the courtship display, male makes harsh barking "go-back, go-back, go-back."

Similar Species

Willow Ptarmigan: White-tailed Ptarmigan has a white tail. Rock Ptarmigan is smaller, has black eye-line, and is more gray-brown than rust brown.