The Willow Ptarmigan is found only in the colder regions of North America. During particularly chilly winters they do migrate further south than normal and can be seen in locations throughout Canada where they normally are not found.
The same species is also found in Britain, but it is called the Red Grouse. Unlike its North American counterpart, it does not turn white in the winter.
Distribution/Location
General: The North American species turn snow white in the winter. They will often fly into snow banks and nestle in the snow to sleep. By flying into the banks instead of walking, they don't leave tracks for predators to follow.
Description - male: Willow ptarmigan are fairly large birds, the size of a small chicken. During the summer, the male has a chestnut brown head and neck, with a mainly white belly splashed with brown. The tail feathers are black and the eyebrows are red.
During the winter, the bird is entirely white but for its black eyes, bill and outer tail. It also retains the red eyebrow. The feet of the bird are heavily feathered and act much like snow shoes.
Description - female: The female is identical to the male in winter. During the summer it is a mottled brown (less reddish than the male) with some white on the belly.
Feeding: The willow ptarmigan feeds mainly on leaves and shoots of plants, but also eats berries, seeds and insects. It prefers willow and birch.
Habitat: The willow ptarmigan can be found in the tundra and in thickets with alder and willow trees. They are found in open forests and shrub meadows high in the mountains where the temperature is colder.
Nesting: The nests contain seven to ten eggs in a hollowed out area on the ground lined with feathers and grass. The female will try to find a place sheltered by rocks or logs. The male guards the area while the female incubates the eggs. The chicks hatch after about three weeks.
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