A true specialist of alpine tundra, the White-tailed Ptarmigan spends its entire life high in the Rocky Mountains. It is perfectly adapted to the harsh conditions as its dense, white winter plumage provides both warmth and camouflage as it roosts on - or sometimes in - snowbanks.
White-tailed Ptarmigan
Lagopus leucura
Photo:
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
White-tailed Ptarmigan
Status and Trends
Distribution
Methods
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
Summary
Trend
Data Deficient
Confidence: Data Deficient
Goal
Data Deficient
The White-tailed Ptarmigan breeds in high alpine areas of British Columbia and southern Yukon, and smaller portions of Alberta and the Northwest Territories. Approximately 1.4 million individuals occur in Canada, which represents just over two-thirds of the global total and a high degree of jurisdictional responsibility for the species. However, it is too rarely detected by either the Breeding Bird Survey or the Christmas Bird Count to allow for any estimation of population trend or establishment of a goal for the Canadian population.
Migration Strategy
Resident
Canadian Responsibility
Population Estimates
Breeding
1,400,000
Annual
1,400,000
Global
2,000,000
Related readings
Summary report
Trends from this species and others are rolled up into The State of Canada’s Birds Summary Report. Follow the link below to view the report, learn more about birds in Canada, and see how we can all help birds.
View the report
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – White-tailed Ptarmigan. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/m0fc-ws07
The State of Canada's Birds is presented in partnership by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada.
Did you know
A true specialist of alpine tundra, the White-tailed Ptarmigan spends its entire life high in the Rocky Mountains. It is perfectly adapted to the harsh conditions as its dense, white winter plumage provides both warmth and camouflage as it roosts on - or sometimes in - snowbanks.
Distribution and Occurrence
1220
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Get Involved
Citizen Science is vital to monitoring birds in Canada. Participating in programs like the ones below helps monitor this species.
Christmas Bird Count
eBird
Become a Citizen Scientist today!
Follow the link below to learn about more programs that you can participate in to help monitor birds in Canada.
Learn more
Related readings
Summary report
Trends from this species and others are rolled up into The State of Canada’s Birds Summary Report. Follow the link below to view the report, learn more about birds in Canada, and see how we can all help birds.
View the report
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada. 2024. The State of Canada’s Birds – White-tailed Ptarmigan. Data accessed from NatureCounts, Birds Canada.
https://doi.org/10.71842/m0fc-ws07