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Rock ptarmigan
Lagopus muta

 Vulnerability: least concern (population decreasing)
Invasive: no
Identification: difficult
Monitoring: difficult

What is it?
The rock ptarmigan is a small grouse species that is found in subarctic and Arctic areas of tundra, sparsely vegetated land, and rocky ground. It is 34 to 36cm in length, for a wingspan of 54-60cm, and a weight of 440–640g. The male and female are approximately the same size, but the male has a more pronounced red eyebrow or "comb". In the winter, both sexes are completely white except for the underside of the tail. Then, both sexes moult, the male later in the year than the female (see picture on the right showing a molting male). In the summer, both sexes are brown with with on the wings and underparts.
Picture
Where is it?
The rock ptarmigan is circumpolar, present in northern Canada, Alaska, northern Europe, Greenland, Svalbard, and Siberia. More precisely in the East Atlantic Arctic, it is found in coastal Greenland (except for the North), all around Iceland, and in coastal Fennoscandia. Svalbard has a specific subspecies, the Svalbard ptarmigan, which is found throughout the islands. The species was introduced a few times to the Faroe Islands for hunting, where it is now extinct.
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Interesting facts
  • The rock ptarmigan has been introduced to some islands of the southern hemisphere: New Zealand, South Georgia, the Kerguelen Islands, and the Crozet Islands.
  • The populations of rock ptarmigan are decreasing throughout most of Europe, but it is popular game bird and is not strictly protected in most of its range.

Pictures

  • Cover picture: "Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta)" by Gregory 'Slobirdr' Smith is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
  • Presentation picture: "Rock Ptarmigan" by USFWSAlaska is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

References

  • BirdLife International (2021) Species factsheet: Lagopus muta. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 07/12/2021
  • Long, John L. (1981). Introduced Birds of the World. Agricultural Protection Board of Western Australia, pp. 21–493. ISBN 9780876633182
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              The Icelandic Climate Fund (2020-2021)

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The Nordic Cooperation (2021-2023)           

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  • Home
  • Goals
  • Local Nature
    • Flora and Funga >
      • Flowering plants >
        • Arctic poppy
        • Cow parsley
        • Mountain avens
        • Nootka lupin
        • Purple saxifrage
      • Non-flowering vascular plants
      • Non-vascular plants
      • Algae
      • Fungi >
        • Reindeer lichen
    • Land mammals >
      • Carnivores >
        • American mink
        • Arctic fox
        • Red fox
      • Herbivores >
        • Reindeer
        • Muskox
      • Insectivores
    • Marine mammals >
      • Seals and Bears >
        • Harbor seal
        • Polar bear
        • Ringed seal
      • Whales and Dolphins >
        • Humpback whale
        • Minke whale
        • Orca
    • Birds >
      • Birds of prey >
        • Gyrfalcon
        • Snowy owl
        • White-tailed eagle
      • Land birds >
        • Rock ptarmigan
        • Rock pigeon
        • Eurasian three-toed woodpecker
      • Passerines >
        • Common raven
        • European starling
        • Snow bunting
      • Sea birds >
        • Atlantic puffin
        • Great cormorant
        • Northern fulmar
      • Seagulls >
        • Black-legged kittiwake
        • Arctic tern
        • Arctic skua
      • Waders >
        • Eurasian oystercatcher
        • Common ringed plover
        • Purple sandpiper
      • Water birds >
        • Red-throated diver
        • Barnacle goose
        • Common eider
  • Activities
    • Beach treasure hunts
    • Ice fishing
    • Seal monitoring
    • Shore ecosystem walk
  • News
  • Contact us