Lagopus leucurus Richardson, 1831

Text, map and photos from Storch I. (2000) : Grouse Action Plan 2000-2004,
reproduced here with the Editor's agreement 

Common names:	White-tailed ptarmigan	English
	Lagopède à queue blanche	French
	Lagopodo coliblanco	Spanish

Photo by Ilse Storch, bird in summer

Photo by Kathy Martin, bird in winter

Conservation Status

IUCN 1996: Lower risk (least concern).
CITES 1998: not listed in Appendices.
Provincial red data books: Subspecies L. l. saxatilis listed in British Columbia, Canada, as vulnerable or sensitive.

 

Taxonomy

Five subspecies are normally recognised; the validity of the races needs to be evaluated (Braun et al. 1993, del Hoyo et al. 1994). The subspecies saxatilis is restricted to Vancouver Island.

Distribution

Western North America. More or less contiguous distribution from Alaska and the Yukon south to Washington; further south the range is highly disjunct with scattered populations in the Rocky Mountains from Montana to northern New Mexico. Isolated populations on Vancouver Island (British Columbia), and Mt. Rainier (Washington). Introduced populations in California, Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon, and Utah (see Braun et al. 1993).

Population size and trend

Breeding densities fluctuate between years and places; numbers range between 2-10 birds per km_. In the long term, most populations are probably stable and secure. Because its alpine habitats remain relatively undisturbed, the species still occupies most of its original range (see Braun et al. 1993).

Habitat and ecology

Alpine habitats above or at treeline with a preference for rocky areas, krummholz, and moist vegetation near snowfields and streams; avoids boggy areas and tall vegetation. Both summer and winter distribution influenced by the availability of willows Salix spp. or alder Alnus spp. Much of the winter food consists of catkins of willow, alder, and birch Betula spp.. In the snow-free seasons the buds, leaves, flowers, and fruits of willows and various herbs and ericaceous shrubs are taken; insects are important for chicks. In parts of the range, e.g. Colorado, white-tailed ptarmigan tend to move between high elevation summer habitats and lower elevations in winter. Seasonal movements between 1 and >30km have been recorded. In other parts of the range, e.g. on Vancouver Island, they maintain altitude but move to preferred winter habitats such as upper montane forest parkland. Where all three Lagopus species co-occur, e.g. in the Yukon, Alaska, and parts of British Columbia, the white-tailed ptarmigan is found at the highest elevations (see Braun 1984, Braun et al. 1993).

Hunting and cultural importance

The white-tailed ptarmigan is hunted in Canada except for Vancouver Island, and in the US in California, Colorado, and Utah, with varying seasons and bag limits. Hunting pressure varies widely between years and areas, e.g. between 4-68% of the autumn population in Colorado, but generally hunting pressure is low and localised to areas with roads in the alpine zone. Due to its low densities, secretive habits, and remote habitats, the species has never been an important game bird compared to other ptarmigan and grouse (see Braun et al. 1993).

Principal threats

Habitat alteration. Locally the white-tailed ptarmigan is probably affected by man-made habitat changes due to road construction, mining, snow catchment fences, ski area development, pollution near urban areas, and overgrazing by domestic livestock. These factors affect the abundance and distribution of winter food. On a large scale, however, the species seems to be well protected by its inaccessible alpine habitat and cryptic behaviour. Populations appear to be able to persist in areas frequented by visitors like Rocky Mountain National Park (US). Hiking in early summer can affect nesting success because both hikers and ptarmigan select snow-free patches. Developments that result in increased abundance of generalist corvid, canid, and mustelid predators can have a large impact on the number of juveniles.

Exploitation. White-tailed ptarmigan are vulnerable to overhunting because of their low population densities and their habit of flocking in late summer in traditional areas. Because the species is often hunted by specialised hunters, bag limits are important despite the generally low hunting pressure.

Research needs

There is current research on population dynamics and on connectivity of habitats and populations in parts of the range. More information is needed on juvenile dispersal and its role for spatial population structure and metapopulation dynamics and persistence. Subspecific designations need to be validated; in particular, the taxonomic status and trends of the populations in Washington and Oregon need to be assessed.

Current conservation measures

Legal protection. The white-tailed ptarmigan is partially protected throughout its range; hunting is regulated by defined seasons and bag limits. Hunting is not permitted in parts of the range, e.g. Vancouver Island.

Surveys and monitoring. Population densities and trends in relation to different kinds of alpine and subalpine habitat types.

Translocation. In the past, white-tailed ptarmigan have been successfully translocated into various parts of North America (Braun 1984, Starling 1991).

Priority conservation measures

Habitat preservation and protected areas. To avoid loss of winter habitat, wintering sites should be determined and protected before allowing urban developments or skiing operations.

Correspondents

Clait Braun, Kathy Martin, Fred Zwickel

Key publications

Braun, C.E. 1984. Biological investigations of white-tailed ptarmigan in Colorado, USA &endash; a review. Pp 131-147 in: Lovel. T.W.I (ed). Proceedings International Symposium on Grouse 3, World Pheasant Association, Reading, UK.

Braun, C.E., Martin, K. and Robb, L. A. 1993. White-tailed ptarmigan. The birds of North America, No. 68. The birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.