Photo: Yathin S Krishnappa / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Least Concern

Game Birds

Willow Ptarmigan

Lagopus lagopus

Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) — Gamebirds of North America.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 17 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Canada Birds of the United States Birds of Alberta Birds of British Columbia Birds of Manitoba Birds of Newfoundland and Labrador Birds of Nova Scotia Birds of Northwest Territories Birds of Nunavut Birds of Ontario

By family

Pheasants, Grouse & Allies of Canada Pheasants, Grouse & Allies of the United States Pheasants, Grouse & Allies of Alberta Pheasants, Grouse & Allies of British Columbia Pheasants, Grouse & Allies of Manitoba Pheasants, Grouse & Allies of Nova Scotia Pheasants, Grouse & Allies of Ontario

See what's near you right now

The Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia and North America. Adults weigh 567 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 lagopus

Where it lives

Northern

Quick facts

Weight: 567 g
Diet: Plant-eaters
Family: Phasianidae
Order: Galliformes
Habitat: Grassland & open country

How to identify

Similar birds

Not Evaluated

Spruce Grouse

Canachites canadensis

Least Concern

Siberian Grouse

Falcipennis falcipennis

Least Concern

Sharp-tailed Grouse

Tympanuchus phasianellus

Least Concern

Snow Partridge

Lerwa lerwa

Biology & behaviour

Diet

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

The Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) belongs to the Phasianidae family of the order Galliformes. It is found across Europe & Northern Asia and North America. Its distribution covers NA, PAL n.

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 567 g, with a wing length of about 19.6 cm and a tail of around 10.9 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 24.3 million km² — a very large global range.

Songs & calls

Willow Ptarmigan — Song

Recorded by Gustav Haapalahti Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Willow Ptarmigan?

The Willow Ptarmigan is a large bird that weighs around 567 g.

Where does the Willow Ptarmigan live?

The Willow 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 Willow Ptarmigan belong to?

The Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.

What does the Willow Ptarmigan eat?

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

Does the Willow Ptarmigan migrate?

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

Is the Willow 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 Willow Ptarmigan make?

1 real field recording of the Willow 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 Willow Ptarmigan's range?

The Willow Ptarmigan has a mapped global range of about 24.3 million km².