Page 149 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

GAMEBIRDS
Order Galliformes Family Tetraonidae Species Lagopus mutus
Ptarmigan yellow speckling
on brown body
white wings
MALE MALE
(SUMMER) black tail (WINTER) small, round
head
neck
extended red over FEMALE (SUMMER)
eye small, delicate
bill small bill
IN FLIGHT white
white wings plumage
“salt and pepper” slim
barring on grey neck
upperparts
black line
between bill
and eye round, bantam-
shaped body
white plumage;
piebald in spring
and autumn
MALE
(WINTER) white belly FEMALE (WINTER)
MALE
(SUMMER)

high-altitude grouse in the south of its range, on FLIGHT: flies up at close range with powerful, rising
A lower, barren ground farther north (even within flight on stiff, fast-beating wings; long downhill glides.
Scotland), the Ptarmigan is a smaller, more delicate
version of the Willow Grouse. In the UK, it is found
only on the highest Scottish peaks and extreme
northern moors. It is difficult to separate from Willow
Grouse in winter, and females require care to separate
from Red Grouse in summer.
VOICE Low, dry, croaking notes, especially four-
syllable arr-kar-ka-karrrr; also cackling “belch”.
NESTING Scrape on ground, lightly lined with grass;
5–9 eggs; 1 brood; May–July.
FEEDING Shoots, leaves, buds, seeds, and berries of SEASONAL CHANGE
variety of low-growing shrubs; also takes insects, which Various parti-coloured plumage patterns can be seen on the Ptarmigan
are important food for chicks. in spring and autumn.
SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRENCE
Breeds widely in Iceland, N and
WILLOW GROUSE WILLOW GROUSE thicker W Scandinavia, and very locally in
summer, similar to winter, similar to bill
3summer; 32winter; Scotland, Pyrenees, and Alps, on
see p.146 see p.146 open tundra or rocky shores, and
redder larger boulder fields. In S Europe, only
brown on highest stony peaks that mimic
tundra environment.
Seen in the UK
J F M A M JJ A S O N D
Length 34–36cm (13 1 ⁄2 –14in) Wingspan 54–60cm (21 1 ⁄2 –23 1 ⁄2in) Weight 400–600g (14–21oz)
Social Small flocks Lifespan Up to 7 years Status Secure
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