White-Tailed Ptarmigan - Sierra Club BC
Skip to content
White-Tailed Ptarmigan

CAN BE FOUND IN:

White-Tailed Ptarmigan

Lagopus leucurus 

Appearance

White-tailed ptarmigans have brown or gray backs, white wings, and bellies in the summer, and completely white tail feathers. They grow to 40 centimetres long, with a small, sharp, black beak and feathers covering their toes. The males have a red comb, like a rooster, above their eyes. 

Range & Habitat

These ptarmigans are found only in North America, from Alaska to Mexico in the Cascade and Rocky Mountains. They live only in alpine areas, near rocky areas, and high meadows. 

Reciprocal relationships

These birds are an indicator species for high-elevation ecosystems! This means that a decline in the ptarmigan population can signify a complete collapse in ecosystem function. They are highly adapted to this ecosystem and eat mostly moss, berries and other plant parts or insects, but sometimes lichens if they are found. White-tailed ptarmigans will also eat the needles and buds of conifers. Ptarmigans change the colour of their feathers in winter and summer so they can blend in with their habitat and be protected from predators. Mother ptarmigans teach their young what food is good to eat. 

Wolves, foxes, lynx, and other carnivores prey on ptarmigans. They are also threatened because their habitat is very sensitive to disturbance. Recreation, fires, and other human activities can affect them. White-tailed ptarmigans are particularly threatened by domestic animals, especially sheep, and overgrazing on their alpine habitats. 

status

COSEWIC: Not Reported 
CDC: Yellow, blue subspecies 

more information

If you belong to a First Nation with a story or piece of information not represented here and you would like to share more about this species, please email us at education@sierraclub.bc.ca

Photo Credit

Canva

Related Species

Filter by Taxonomy

Filter by EcoProvince

American Kestrel

American Kestrel

The American kestrel is the smallest falcon in North America and weighs only 3 or 4 ounces.

American White Pelican

American White Pelican

American white pelicans are some of the largest birds in North America. They hunt together, driving small schools of fish into each other’s bill pouches.

Arctic tern

Arctic tern

Arctic terns are unique birds with gifts of persistence and resourcefulness. These birds must fly great distances, and in doing so they have a diet with a variety of sea life.

Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle

Bald eagles are found all over B.C. and the U.S. The largest populations in North America live in B.C. and Alaska.

Banana Slug

Banana Slug

Banana slugs are important decomposers in our coastal rainforest. They are nocturnal feeders, eating decaying animals, mushrooms, and plants.

Beaver

Beaver

The beaver possesses many gifts! They are adept at swimming, building, and tree chomping.

Bighorn Sheep

Bighorn Sheep

The bighorn sheep are important primary consumers in the food chain. They are vegetarians, eating grasses, bushes and leaves.

Black and White Warbler

Black and White Warbler

These iconic Canadian birds are also called the ‘black and white creeper’ because they creep along tree trunks looking for tasty insects.

Black Bear

Black Bear

Black bears and Pacific salmon play an important part in maintaining our forest ecosystems.

Bocaccio Rockfish

Bocaccio Rockfish

Bocaccio rockfish are important consumers. These fish eat smaller fish such as anchovies, mackerel, squid and other rockfish.

Bonaparte's Gull

Bonaparte's Gull

These gulls nest in large numbers and produce two to three eggs at a time. These gulls are gifted with agility.

Boreal Chickadee

Boreal Chickadee

Boreal chickadees are an important indicator species of boreal ecosystems!