Photo: Jan Frode Haugseth / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Least Concern

Game Birds

Rock Ptarmigan

Lagopus muta

Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) — Gamebirds of North America.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 20 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Canada Birds of Germany Birds of Spain Birds of France Birds of the United Kingdom Birds of Japan Birds of the United States Birds of Alberta Birds of British Columbia Birds of Manitoba

By family

Pheasants, Grouse & Allies of Canada Pheasants, Grouse & Allies of Germany Pheasants, Grouse & Allies of Spain Pheasants, Grouse & Allies of France Pheasants, Grouse & Allies of the United Kingdom Pheasants, Grouse & Allies of Japan Pheasants, Grouse & Allies of the United States Pheasants, Grouse & Allies of Alberta Pheasants, Grouse & Allies of British Columbia Pheasants, Grouse & Allies of Manitoba

See what's near you right now

The Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia and North America. Adults weigh 535 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Galliformes
Family Phasianidae Pheasants & Allies
Genus Lagopus
Species muta

Where it lives

Northern

Quick facts

Weight: 535 g
Diet: Plant-eaters
Family: Phasianidae
Order: Galliformes
Habitat: Grassland & open country

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

White-tailed Ptarmigan

Lagopus leucura

Least Concern

Snow Partridge

Lerwa lerwa

Least Concern

Siberian Grouse

Falcipennis falcipennis

Least Concern

Willow Ptarmigan

Lagopus lagopus

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Rock Ptarmigan feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.

Behaviour

A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The Rock Ptarmigan is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) is a member of the Phasianidae family, within the order Galliformes. Its range spans Europe & Northern Asia and North America. Its distribution covers NA, PAL n.

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 535 g, with a wing length of about 18.9 cm and a tail of around 9 cm.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 15 million km² — a very large global range.

Songs & calls

Rock Ptarmigan — Song

Recorded by Johan Södercrantz Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Rock Ptarmigan?

The Rock Ptarmigan is a large bird that weighs around 535 g.

Where does the Rock Ptarmigan live?

The Rock Ptarmigan is found across Europe & Northern Asia and North America with a range covering NA, PAL n, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.

What family does the Rock Ptarmigan belong to?

The Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.

What does the Rock Ptarmigan eat?

The Rock Ptarmigan feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.

Does the Rock Ptarmigan migrate?

The Rock Ptarmigan is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

Is the Rock Ptarmigan endangered?

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

What sound does the Rock Ptarmigan make?

1 real field recording of the Rock Ptarmigan — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.

How large is the Rock Ptarmigan's range?

The Rock Ptarmigan has a mapped global range of about 15 million km².