Rock Ptarmigan

The Rock Ptarmigan is a compact grouse adapted to exposed alpine and Arctic landscapes. Its plumage changes with the seasons: winter birds are largely white, while summer females become mottled brown and males retain white longer during courtship. A black eye stripe marks breeding males, and dense feathering covers the feet, working like snowshoes while also helping the bird dig shelter in snow (Cornell Lab of Ornithology; BTO BirdFacts).

Rock Ptarmigans walk while feeding on buds, leaves, flowers, berries and seeds; chicks initially take many insects and other small invertebrates. The female scrapes a shallow ground nest and incubates a usual clutch of six to twelve eggs for 20–22 days. Japan's alpine population belongs to subspecies japonica, which is listed as Endangered nationally (Alaska Department of Fish and Game species profile; Japan MOE 5th Red List 2026).