Willow Ptarmigan Animal Information
Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) - A.K.A. Stupid chicken. Like the Snowshoe Hare, the Willow Ptarmigan changes color with the changing seasons. They blend in perfectly with their surroundings. Their feet are covered with feathers giving them buoyancy in the deep snow. Like the Grouse and Hare, the Ptarmigan are subject to large population swings. An over abundance one year and virtually none the following year. This is probably due to survival rate among chicks or bad winters, when they cannot find food. The Ptarmigan can be found in most arctic and alpine regions throughout the Northern hemisphere including Canada, Alaska, Russia, and Finland. Coveys of Ptarmigan can usually be found in willow patches above treeline. Where they live on Willow buds, twigs and a variety of insects. The adults have a 22 inch wingspan and weigh approximately one and a half pounds.
