Does the white-tailed ptarmigan migrate?
Migration. Most birds move to slightly lower elevation in winter, with some traveling as much as 14 miles from summer to winter range. Females tend to move farther than males.
Does ptarmigan migrate?
MIGRATION: Female white-tailed ptarmigan migrate, individually or in flocks, from their winter habitats at or just above the tree line into higher-elevation territories established by males. Males will often return to territories they occupied during the previous year.
Where do white-tailed ptarmigans live?
Year-round, White-tailed Ptarmigan live in alpine heath or tundra habitats, mostly above treeline, to elevations exceeding 14,000 feet. Their range extends from Alaska to New Mexico, in open, mostly treeless areas with scattered lichen-covered rocks. Most vegetation is a foot high or less.
What does the ptarmigan do in winter?
The winter daily schedule consists of feeding by day and roosting under shrubs or in snow burrows at night and during extreme weather. The quality and depth of snow are important factors influencing survival. Snow depth determines what food will be available.
Can a ptarmigan fly?
The white-tailed ptarmigan is an alpine species, a permanent resident of the high mountains above or near the timber line. It occupies open country and flies a great deal more than forest grouse, but still prefers running to flying. It ranges from Alaska and western Canada south to northern New Mexico.
What is Alaska’s state bird?
Willow ptarmigan
The Willow ptarmigan was designated as our state bird in 1955, even before Alaska became the 49th state.
Which bird member of the grouse family turns white in the winter?
White-tailed ptarmigan
The white-tailed ptarmigan (Lagopus leucura), also known as the snow quail, is the smallest bird in the grouse family….
| White-tailed ptarmigan | |
|---|---|
| Family: | Phasianidae |
| Genus: | Lagopus |
| Species: | L. leucura |
| Binomial name |
What do Ptarmigan eat in the Arctic?
Adults are almost entirely vegetarian, feeding on buds, catkins, leaves, flowers, berries, and seeds. Major food sources include willow, dwarf birch, alder, saxifrage, crowberry. Also eats some insects, spiders, snails; young chicks feed on these items heavily at first.
Are grouse and ptarmigan the same?
Female White-tailed Ptarmigan are smaller than Spruce Grouse and tend to occur in open tundra rather than spruce forests. They are paler than Spruce Grouse, shorter-tailed, and lack white markings on the belly.
What is a chica Willow?
The willow ptarmigan (/ˈtɑːrmɪɡən/) (Lagopus lagopus) is a bird in the grouse subfamily Tetraoninae of the pheasant family Phasianidae. It is also known as the willow grouse and in Ireland and Britain, where the subspecies L. l. scotica was previously considered to be a separate species, as the red grouse.
How big does a white tailed ptarmigan get?
The White-tailed Ptarmigan is a grouse of alpine (above treeline) habitats. It is the smallest grouse in North America (total length 30 to 31 cm, weight 295 to 440 grams), and the only species of grouse with white tail feathers.
Where do monarch butterflies congregate during their migration?
Monarchs traveling south congregate on peninsulas. The shape of the peninsula funnels the migrating butterflies. At its tip, the monarchs find the shortest distance across open water. They congregate along the shore to wait for a gentle breeze to help them across.
How long does it take a ptarmigan chick to hatch?
Within 6-12 hours of hatching, the female leads her clutch of 4-8 chicks to food sources where they are able to feed themselves. They do not return to the nest.
How many generations does it take for a monarch butterfly to reach Canada?
Generation 1 monarchs are the offspring of the monarchs who overwintered in Mexico. Each successive generation travels farther north. It will take 3-4 generations to reach the northern United States and Canada.
