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 Characteristics
Average wt. 1.25 lb (.57 kg); Average length
(bill to tail) 15"-17" (28-43 cm); Wing span
22" (56 cm). The Willow Ptarmigan is a large
bird with variable color in the summer. In
winter it is entirely snow-white except for
its black eye, black bill and black tail
feathers that are seen only when it is
flying. In the summer it is a mottled
reddish-brown with white wings and black
tail. The male has a bright-red to
orange-red comb over its eyes which can be
concealed. The female is the same color as
the male in winter. In summer she is mottled
brown and more heavily barred on top and
white on the belly. The Willow Ptarmigan has
very fine feather hairs that cover its legs,
feet and toes year-round. The breeding male
is noisy making a series of gruff notes. It
also makes a deep, frog-like stuttering
sound and a cackling sound. The nest is on
the ground and the male Ptarmigan defends
the sitting female from predators. The
Willow Ptarmigan is the state bird of
Alaska.
Habitat
The Willow Ptarmigan is found in grassy
tundra in the summer and willow flats near
rivers in large flocks in the winter. The
flocks break up in the spring. It roosts in
the snow. In summer it eats buds, grass
shoots, flowers, seeds, berries and a few
insects. In winter it will dig through the
snow for food and eats twigs and willow
buds.
Ptarmigan meat is dark and has it's own
flavor. There are 2 different kinds of
ptarmigan, willow and rock with willow being
the more abundant. They will be any color
from brown to grey to white, depending if we
get snow at the time you are here. They are
a nice little bonus to have around when
hunting moose, caribou and other big game.
Best way to cook them is in some bacon
grease or butter with just about any kind of
seasoning, heck, i've even cooked them in
beer with a little salt, peeper, and garlic
powder and they were outstanding! Good luck! |
