Breeding male © Forest Botial-Jarvis eBird S72297078 Macaulay Library ML 257049061
Breeding female © Eric Ellingson
Nonbreeding adult © Timo Mitzen
Molting adult © Luke Seitz
Molting adult © Zak Pohlen
+ 4
Molting adult © Andrew Spencer
Breeding male © Chris Wood
Habitat © Chris Wood

Bergrjúpa Lagopus leucura

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Identification

POWERED BY MERLIN

Plump, chickenlike bird found in tundra with a mix of rocks and mossy ground cover. Plumage changes throughout the year. In winter, both sexes are pure white. As summer progresses, male develops grayish-brown feathers on head, neck, and back; generally quite splotchy. Summer female is pale golden with intricate black and white markings. Both sexes similar to other ptarmigan species, but smaller with distinctive white outer tail feathers. Generally found singly or in pairs in summer; forms small flocks in winter. Feeds mainly on plants.

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