{"id":5545,"date":"2022-11-12T03:51:15","date_gmt":"2022-11-12T03:51:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/?p=5545"},"modified":"2022-11-25T20:45:03","modified_gmt":"2022-11-25T20:45:03","slug":"the-alpine-specialist-white-tailed-ptarmigan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/2022\/11\/12\/the-alpine-specialist-white-tailed-ptarmigan\/","title":{"rendered":"The Alpine Specialist: White-Tailed Ptarmigan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You find yourself snowshoeing through the alpine meadows of Strathcona Park. It’s hard work. You’re hot and sweaty- each step feels like it’ll be your last. Sitting down for a moment of rest, you are face to face with a dainty white bird. Startled, the bird effortlessly struts away, floating over the snow with large, feather covered feet. In awe, you whip out your mobile eBird app and search for it. The White-Tailed Ptarmigan, “Lagopus leucura<\/em>“. The genus, Lagopus<\/em>, is derived from lagos<\/em>, meaning “hare,” and pous<\/em>, “foot,” in reference to the bird’s large, feathered feet in winter. A fitting name for a bird that could easily beat you in a footrace. Your legs are sore. You sip some water. You are now jealous of a bird. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Description<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The White-tailed Ptarmigan (Lagopus leucura) <\/em>is the smallest grouse in North America with a size slightly larger than a California Quail (All About Birds, n.d.). This bird is from the family Phasianidae within the order Galliformes, an order that comprises the modern \u201cgame birds\u201d including pheasants, turkeys, partridges, and New World quails (Ramel, 2020). White-tailed Ptarmigan feathers serves as camouflage (cryptic plumage) and color varies throughout the year. In the summer, their plumage is a mottled grey, brown and white. In the winter, they are fully white, allowing them to camouflage in snow. White-tailed Ptarmigan are famous for being \u201calpine specialists\u201d as they are the only bird in North America that spends their entire life cycle in the alpine tundra of western mountains (All About Birds, n.d.). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Figure 1: Breeding male White-tailed Ptarmigan. Photo by Chris Wood<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Figure 2: Nonbreeding winter adult White-tailed Ptarmigan. Photo by Timo Mitzen<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habitat\/Distribution<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

White-Tailed Ptarmigans live year-round in alpine habitats in elevations between 4,000ft to 14,000ft in western North America (Figure 3) (Audubon, 2014, Animalia, n.d.). These grouse participate in altitudinal migration, where they migrate from higher to lower elevation based on seasonal changes (Martin et al<\/em>., 2020). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Figure 3: Distribution of White-tailed Ptarmigan in North America. Black Points show locations of introduced populations. Figure from Birds of the World<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the start of spring, breeding season commences. White-Tailed Ptarmigans move to higher elevations far above the tree line, where they reside in rocky or krummholz (dwarfed wind-deformed trees) dominated areas (Martin et al<\/em>., 2020). Specifically on Vancouver Island, summer habitat includes alpine heather communities with tree islands of spruce or fir (Martin et al<\/em>., 2004). These grouse reside at higher altitudes until the end of summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As autumn approaches, storms begin. The White-tailed Ptarmigan move downslope in elevation into more sheltered areas, especially into basins where willow and other deciduous shrubs tend to stay above the snow (Audubon, 2014, All About Birds, n.d.). Male White-tailed Ptarmigan over-winter approximately 200 m higher than females, as the males will return sooner to the breeding grounds in the upcoming year (Martin et al<\/em>., 2020).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Figure 4: Male White-tailed Ptarmigan in summer rocky meadow habitat. Photo by David Mendosa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Identification <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

GENERAL IDENTIFICATION <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The White-tailed Ptarmigan is a small plump bird with a short neck, small bill, round wings and large feet (All About Birds, n.d.). Both sexes are similar in size and body shape and can be identified from other grouse species due to their year-round white outer tail feathers (Martin et al<\/em>., 2020). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The plumage of the White-tailed Ptarmigan is cryptic, meaning that its feathers serve as camouflage. In alpine habitat, the seasonal landscape changes dramatically. In order for the White-tailed Ptarmigan to conceal itself, it changes plumage from white in winter to grayish brown in summer, such that it is molting feathers for 8 months of the year (Martin et al<\/em>., 2020). Summer plumage varies in pattern and color throughout different ranges to better match local habitat colors (Martin et al<\/em>., 2020). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Figure 5: White-tailed Ptarmigan may vary in summer plumage, but their white outer tail feathers can easily distinguish them from other grouse species. Photos from (respectively) Tim Avery<\/a> and Alex Lamoreaux<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These birds do not have a “conventional” song, but males deliver a “flight scream” of screeching clucks when defending their territory. Both sexes product nasally clucks and rattles (All About Birds, n.d.). Have a listen with the links below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Flight scream” of a male White-tailed Ptarmigan. Audio from Julia Whittmann<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nasal clucks of two communicating White-Tailed Ptarmigan. Audio form Julia Whittmann<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

WINTER IDENTFICATION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both sexes of White-tailed Ptarmigan are entirely white in the winter with a dark eye and bill (All About Birds, n.d.). They can be distinguished from other white ptarmigan such as the Willow Ptarmigan and Rock Ptarmigan by a few plumage characteristics. Willow Ptarmigan will have black outer tail feathers, while the Rock Ptarmigan has a pronounced red eyebrow with black eyeline (Ebird, n.d., Alaska Department Fish and Game, n.d.). In contrast, White-Tailed Ptarmigan will have no colored feathers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Figure 6: Rock Ptarmigan (Left) and Willow Ptarmigan (Right) have a few colored winter feathers. Photos from (respectively) Greg Lasley <\/a>and Scott Grant <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Figure 7: The White-Tailed Ptarmigan winter plumage is completely white. Photo from Caroline Lambert<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BREEDING IDENTIFICATION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting in the spring, the ptarmigan begins to replace their winter plumage with brown\/gray patterns (All About Birds, n.d.). Males gain a “necklace” of barred brown\/black breast feathers, while females are predominantly brown\/black with yellow barring (All About Birds, n.d.). Males gain a bright red eye comb, while females have a smaller, salmon colored eye comb (Martin et al<\/em>., 2020). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Figure 8: Male White-tailed Ptarmigan in breeding plumage. Note red eye comb and barred breast feathers. Photo from Laramie Audubon<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Figure 9: Female White-tailed Ptarmigan in breeding plumage. Note predominantly brown markings and small pink eye comb. Photo from Ryan Shaw<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Special Alpine Behavioral and Physiological Adaptations <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

White-tailed Ptarmigan conserve energy through a variety of behavioral and physiological adaptations that result in a generally sedentary lifestyle (Martin et al<\/em>., 2020). They conventionally walk as opposed to flying to limit energy use, and select microhabitats several degrees warmer than ambient temperature in order to stay within a thermal neutral zone (the zone where little energy is used to control body temperature). In fact, the limit of their thermal neutral zone is 6\u00b0 C, a very low temperature for birds (Martin et al<\/em>., 2020). This low temperature likely due to the high insulation properties of the ptarmigan plumage. In addition, the large tarsi (feet) of these birds grow long feathers in the winter, acting as “snowshoes” to allow the bird to easily walk on top of snow (Martin et al<\/em>., 2020). Check out this quick podcast to hear more about these snowshoes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Figure 10: Podcast describing White-tailed Ptarmigan feet adaptation. Audio from Audubon<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Figure 11: Large feathery feet allow this White-tailed Ptarmigan to easily walk on snow. Photo from Audubon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most impressively, White-tailed Ptarmigan embryos are able to develop normally above 11,800ft in hypoxic conditions where most other bird embryos would be unable to develop due to the lack of oxygen in their tissues (Martin et al.<\/em>, 2020). White-tailed Ptarmigan embryos develop higher hematocrit levels earlier in incubation\u00a0and have greater oxidative capacity in their heart and leg muscles. These adaptations mean that the embryos have increased oxygen in their blood and in their muscles, allowing for normal development (Martin et al<\/em>, 2020). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Figure 12: While in the egg, White-tailed Ptarmigan embryos are able to develop normally in low oxygen conditions. Photo from James Hager<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diet\/Foraging<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This Ptarmigan consumes a diet of buds, leaves, flowers, seeds, and insects (Martin et al<\/em>., 2020). For much of the year they seek out areas where winds have swept out snow, exposing seeds and buds to consume (All About Birds. n.d.) They forage mostly on the ground, using their small, sharp bill to clip vegetation and store food in their crop to be digested later (Martin et al<\/em>., 2020). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Figure 13: White-tailed Ptarmigan feeding in alpine meadow. Photo from Kerry Hargove<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breeding Behavior and Parental Duties<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Male White-tailed Ptarmigan to breeding areas arrive in early spring, where they claim territories (35-70 acres) with calls and aerial displays. Females, which winter at lower elevations than males, arrive in breeding areas in late April-mid May (All About Birds, n.d., Martin et al<\/em>., 2020). To entice females, males perform courtship displays that involve bowing, pecking at the ground, and dragging the wingtips over the ground (All About Birds, n.d.). The pair bonds for about 3 months each year, with 80% of the ptarmigans re-partnering with a previous year’s mate (All About Birds, n.d.). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mated pairs stay close together during courtship, and males guard the females until incubation (All About Birds, n.d.). The nest site is always on the ground, where the female makes a shallow depression with her feet, lining it with grass, leaves, and feathers. The interior of the nest averages about 5.9 inches across and about 1.4 inches deep (All About Birds, n.d.). Only females incubate, and males play no role in chick defense or rearing (All About Birds, n.d.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Figure 14: White-Tailed Ptarmigan nest with eggs. Photo from Mike Davis<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clutch size varies between 2-8 cinnamon-colored speckled eggs, and incubation lasts for 22-25 days (All About Birds, n.d., Martin et al<\/em>., 2020). Upon hatching, the chicks are completely covered in dense natal down with their eyes open. The chicks and hen leave the nest within 6\u201312 h after all chicks hatch and do not return (Martin et al<\/em>., 2020). To protect her brood, the hen elicits specialized warning calls to her chicks at the onslaught of predators like Peregrine falcons or coyotes (Ausmus & Clarke, 2013). Juvenile independence is a gradual process, with broods remaining together until September\u2013October and occasionally through the first winter (Martin et al<\/em>., 2020). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Figure 15: White-Tailed Ptarmigan chick. Photo from Marv Breece<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conservation Status<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The estimated global breeding population is 2 million individuals, and this species is classified as low conservation concern (All About Birds, n.d.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the endemic Vancouver Island White-tailed Ptarmigan subspecies, L. leucurus saxatilis<\/em>, is on the BC Provincial “Blue List” indicating a species of special concern (Martin & Forbes, 2004). Historically, the distribution is known to range from as far south as Mount Brenton to as north as Tsitika Mountain. The subspecies is vulnerable to population extinction because the birds exist in very low densities in patchy habitats (Martin & Forbes, 2004)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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