# Willow Ptarmigan (*Lagopus lagopus*)

> The willow ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) is an Arctic grouse that turns white in winter and red-brown in summer, living across tundra of North America, Europe, and Asia. Adults weigh about 0.5 kg and are listed Least Concern.

- **Category:** Bird
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Arctic and subarctic tundra of North America, Europe, and Asia.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/willow-ptarmigan/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Aves
- **Order:** Galliformes
- **Family:** Phasianidae
- **Genus:** Lagopus

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Lagopus lagopus |
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Habitat | Tundra and willow scrub |
| Lifespan | 5–10 years |
| Weight | 0.4–0.6 kg |
| Top speed | up to 50 km/h |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## Seasonal feather camouflage

Ptarmigan moult into white winter plumage with only a black tail and red eyebrow showing, then shift to barred brown in summer. Feathered feet act like snowshoes on tundra.

## Willow buds and berries

Winter diet is willow and birch buds; summer adds leaves, berries, and insects. Males defend territories with bubbling calls and tail displays.

## Circumpolar tundra

Breeds across Arctic and subarctic North America, Scandinavia, Scotland, and Siberia. Subspecies include the British red grouse, often treated separately by hunters.

## Cold-climate survivor

Least Concern with vast range. Climate warming may push treeline northward, changing willow habitat, but populations remain robust in many regions.

## Frequently asked questions

### Why do ptarmigan turn white in winter?

Seasonal camouflage matches snow, hiding them from gyrfalcons, foxes, and other predators.

### Do ptarmigan have feathered feet?

Yes — feathered toes improve insulation and traction on snow, like natural snowshoes.

### What is the red eyebrow on ptarmigan?

A comb-like patch of red skin above the eye, more prominent in males during display.

### Is the red grouse a ptarmigan?

Yes — it is Lagopus lagopus scotica, a non-migratory subspecies of willow ptarmigan in the UK.

### What do willow ptarmigan eat in winter?

Mainly willow and birch buds when snow covers other food.

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/willow-ptarmigan/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.