Birds of North America
Puzzle 43 · Mountains and Northern Lands · Page 65 in print
White-tailed Ptarmigan
Female White-tailed Ptarmigan incubate the eggs and raise the chicks. Males do not share chick defense or rearing duties.
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Alpine Avens
A flowering plant included in the diet.
Alpine Bistort
A mountain food plant.
Alpine Heath
Low mountain vegetation used throughout the year.
Crowberry
A low fruit-bearing plant eaten by the species.
Descent
Movement down mountain slopes as autumn storms begin.
Escape Routes
Open paths away from the nest help a female evade predators.
Feathered Feet
The bird has large feet covered with feathers.
Fellfields
Rocky slopes with sheltered crevices where small food plants grow.
Krummholz
Stunted, wind-shaped trees in alpine habitat.
New Mexico
The southern end of the species’ stated range.
Plant Buds
Growing tips eaten by the birds.
Sibbaldia
A low alpine plant found in the bird’s habitat.
Snowpack
Snow cover influences where the birds can reach food.
Stonecrop
Oregon stonecrop is among the bird’s plant foods.
White Plumage
The entire winter plumage is white except for the eye and bill.
Sources
- White-tailed Ptarmigan: Life HistoryCornell Lab of Ornithology
- White-tailed Ptarmigan: IdentificationCornell Lab of Ornithology