Rock Ptarmigan
Lagopus muta

Rock Ptarmigan
Species
- Latin: Lagopus muta
- Iñupiaq: niqsaaqtufiq
- Yup'ik: elciayuli
- Tlingit: x'eis'awáa
- Consumption: Edible
Viewing Scale

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Description
Male Rock Ptarmigan have a red patch of feathers above their eyes that do not change color with summer winter plumages.
They breed and winter on mountainous uplands, and tend to hang out near low bushed and shrubs. Several subspecies of rock ptarmigan live throughout the entire Aleutian Islands. On all except for Unimak Island, only one subspecies occurs on each island. These birds live in much different habitat than mainland birds. Aleutian rock ptarmigan range down to sea level, and are found on coastal grassy areas and on gentle to moderate slopes consisting predominantly of low shrubs.Predators
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Habitat & Range
Alaska Range Map