Ptarmigan
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On February 4, 1955 the willow ptarmigan, also know as Lagopus lagopus, was adopted as the State Bird of Alaska.
Ptarmigans are found all around Alaska from the southwest to the arctic areas of the state. These small birds are usually nestled between the willows and open fields of tundra scattered over the regions in very high elevations. Ptarmigans often change their appearance with the different seasons. In the summer the ptarmigan has a dark brown coat with spots of white.
In the winter months their coats change to a pure white color. This provides them great protection in the winter as they blend in with the snow and are harder to be spotted by their predators. Their coats are also much thicker and longer in the winter and cover their entire lower legs.
The ptarmigan is a very beautiful bird to watch and is a great addition to the fowls that cover the state.
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Video Clip by: Alaska Video Postcards
Text by: The Alaska Almanac 19th Edition,
Official Student Information guide to Alaska
Photo by: AK Division of Tourism
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