Ptarmigan

Ptarmigan are alpine and subalpine grouse that change plumage with the seasons; brown or mottled in summer, white in winter; for camouflage. In Banff National Park, white-tailed ptarmigan (Lagopus leucura) and rock ptarmigan (L. muta) inhabit high-elevation terrain, including the alpine bowls and ridges above treeline.

Identification: Stocky, chicken-sized birds with feathered feet (acting as snowshoes). White-tailed ptarmigan; the smallest of the three North American species; is the one most likely seen in the resort’s high alpine. In winter, both species are all white except for black tail feathers (white-tailed) or a black eye stripe (rock). In summer, plumage is mottled brown and gray.

Habitat and diet: Ptarmigan live year-round in alpine tundra, talus, and subalpine meadows above treeline. They feed on buds, leaves, seeds, and insects. Often found in small flocks; they may sit still and rely on camouflage, flushing only when approached closely.

Viewing: Scan alpine terrain and talus slopes; ptarmigan can be hard to spot when motionless. Maintain distance and avoid disturbing birds, especially in winter when energy conservation is critical.

The resort’s Ptarmigan zone in the Back Bowls is named after these birds.