Newfoundland Bird Highlight: The Ptarmigan.
Colloquially and endearingly nicknamed the “arctic chicken,” this bird is adapted to live on icy rocky barrens and subalpine tundra. They are plump, with short legs and a small black bill, meet the ptarmigan (with a silent p). There are two species found in Newfoundland: the willow ptarmigan (Lagopuslagopus alleni) and the rock ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus welchi). The genus Lagopus literally translates to “hare foot” in reference to this bird’s specialized feathered feet, which keep them warm and add traction on slippery rocks.
(photo by Jared Clarke)
Newfoundland is unique in that it holds the most southerly part of ptarmigan breeding ranges in North America. Willow ptarmigan are found throughout the island and are commonly found in coastal, barren areas, such as the southern shore of the Avalon. Rock ptarmigan are a much rarer sight, as their range is not as large, and they are often only found in locations with higher altitudes, like Gros Morne Mountain. In fact, the summit of Gros Morne is closed from May 1 to June 23, every year, to protect rock ptarmigan during a critical period during the breeding season, along with other ecologically important species such as caribou and arctic hare.
Rock ptarmigan chicks are especially vulnerable during their first week of life, needing to be warmed by mom every few minutes. A disturbance-free area is needed so mother ptarmigans can focus on keeping their chicks warm in the wet and cold spring weather. Chicks of both species emerge after an incubation period of 20 to 22 days and are born ready to be on the move. Their juvenile appearance changes quickly, as they need to replace their baby down with tougher mature feathers. They look fully grown by the time late September rolls around and they can live up to the ripe age of nine years old.
So how does one tell a willow and a rock ptarmigan apart? Luckily for aspiring bird watchers, the ranges of each species rarely overlap. If you are somewhere with higher elevation, it is likely you have spotted a rock ptarmigan. In fact, the different names refer to their nesting preferences – rock ptarmigan prefer exposed rocky regions. As neither species migrate for the winter, they have evolved to change their appearance to camouflage according to the season. During the colder months, ptarmigan can turn fully white in stark contrast to their earthier summer plumage, although their wings remain white all year round. In the summer, adult willow ptarmigan are reddish-brown compared to the greyish outfit of the rock ptarmigan. In general, rock ptarmigan are smaller than willow ptarmigan, and have a relatively smaller bill.
(photo by Jill Taylor)
In the summertime, ptarmigan feed on a mix of insects and yummy plants that are finally available such as green shoots, buds, flowers, and berries. The association with partridge berries (internationally known as lingonberry) is why willow ptarmigans are known by the local name of “partridge”, even though that is a completely different species of bird. During wintertime, ptarmigan will switch to a heartier diet of twigs, leaves and buds of willows, birch, alder, and blueberry.
In general, the ptarmigan is recognized as a game bird in Newfoundland and Labrador and is a part of the culture and history of the province. It is difficult to estimate ptarmigan population densities on such a large land mass. To address this, part of the provincial management plan relies on the collection of ptarmigan wingtips from hunters. They are asked to volunteer the right wing of each harvested bird for analysis which can be used to calculate the ratio of adults to juveniles in the population. This ratio indicates how the population is doing.
Like many people in Newfoundland who enjoy the outdoors, the ptarmigan is the definition of adaptability and hardiness.