General

White-tailed Ptarmigan: Small grouse, mottled brown overall with white on wings, breast, and belly, red eye comb, white-edged brown tail, and legs covered with white feathers. Female has black bars on belly and smaller comb. Winter adult is completely white, including tail; eyes and bill are black. When molting, white feathers are irregularly scattered over darker areas.

Range and Habitat

White-tailed Ptarmigan: Common resident in the Canadian and northern U.S. Rockies, ranging from the most northern states southward to northern New Mexico. Found on rocky ridges near the snow line.

Breeding and Nesting

White-tailed Ptarmigan: Three to nine brown-blotched or spotted, pink or buff eggs are laid among rocks in a ground depression lined with grass, lichens, small leaves, and feathers. Incubation ranges from 22 to 24 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

White-tailed Ptarmigan: Feeds on seeds, buds, flowers, and fruits of willows and other alpine plants; occasionally eats insects.

Vocalization

White-tailed Ptarmigan: Male gives a high-pitched "ku-kriii kriii" and low "kuk-kuk-kuk." Female utters low clucks when brooding chicks.

Similar Species

White-tailed Ptarmigan: Other ptarmigans have black on tails.