Willow ptarmigan Lagopus lagopus

Identification Tips:

Length: 13 inches
Medium-sized, stocky, round-winged, chicken-like bird
Squarish black tail
Small black bill
Legs and toes feathered
Brown or white uppertail coverts cover center of tail

Male alternate:

Red comb over eye
Reddish-brown head and neck
White wings and leg feathering
Body reddish-brown barred with black or white depending on molt stage

Female alternate:

Brown plumage with black spotting and barring
Small red comb over eye

Basic:

Entirely white plumage except for dark brownish tail
Small red comb over eye

Similar species:

In alternate plumage, the males are distinctive with their reddish-brown head and neck. Rock and White-tailed Ptarmigan are browner. In all plumages White-tailed Ptarmigan has a white, rather than black tail. Female Willow Ptarmigans are difficult to separate from female Rock Ptarmigans but Rocks have a smaller bill. In basic plumage, the Rock Ptarmigan often has a black eyeline.

Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.
Source: USGS