Common Names: Alaska ptarmigan, Alexander ptarmigan, Allen ptarmigan, Arctic grouse, red grouse (found in Scotland), Scottish grouse, white grouse, white-shafted ptarmigan, willow grouse, willow partridge and willow ptarmigan (9).

Conservation Status: Least Concern (populations declining gloabally).

Habitat: Primarily subalpine and subarctic zones. In the summer, they can be found in areas with lush vegetation, such as arctic valleys, marshy tundra, coastal regions and forested areas — especially those with willow (Salix) and birch (Betula) shrubs (9). In the wintertime these ptarmigan seek more protected areas, often moving further into valleys or more densely vegetated areas within their range. In some areas, females and juveniles tend to move into boreal forests, while males remain in more open habitats.

Diet:

• Summer: Willow ptarmigan eat a variety of different foods (9). This includes willow buds, grass shoots, flowers, seeds, berries,  insects, caterpillars and beetles.
• Winter: Willow buds and twigs are the primary food source for willow ptarmigan in the winter. The amount of berries, seeds and plant buds eaten increases in the winter, when insects are not available.

Predators: Hooded crows, ravens, magpies, red foxes, pine Martens, mink, short-tailed weasels, least weasels, gulls, northern harriers, golden eagles, bald eagles, rough legged hawks, gyrfalcons, peregrine falcons, northern goshawks, snowy owls, wolverine, wolves, arctic foxes, lynx and polar bears.

The ptarmigan is also a vital food source for people in for northern communities across the bird’s range.