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Rock Ptarmigan — Camouflage and Call
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Rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) in late summer plumage with typical male call (Germany, Bavaria; September 2015).
Male and female look very much alike. They strongly rely on their perfect camouflage, whichever the season. The Rock ptarmigan shows feathered legs characteristic of the grouse. They live as ground dwellers on the stony, vegetation-poor tundra and on steep alpine inclines at and above treeline. The Rock ptarmigan is a typical vegetarian ground feeder and likes buds, leaves, berries and seeds. In winter it descends to lower regions and also feeds on birch and willow. Where they coexistthe Rock ptarmigan may be easily mistaken for the slightly bigger Willow ptarmigan. Published on Oct 4, 2015.