White-tailed Ptarmigan (Lagopus leucura) - Illal Mountain
It really is amazing how well these guys or "snow quails" blend into their habitat and surroundings. This is true both in summer and winter. I've been lucky enough to see them in both plumages in my life. I have to say the winter one is my fave. Sometimes when this hen stood still we complete;y lost her. The young birders and I found 5 of them (a hen with chicks) on our last field trip. It has been a nemesis bird for our youth group for far too long and a lifer for most of them! We walked a total of 13 km to see these guys and it was worth every minute!
White-tailed Ptarmigan (Lagopus leucura) - Illal Mountain
It really is amazing how well these guys or "snow quails" blend into their habitat and surroundings. This is true both in summer and winter. I've been lucky enough to see them in both plumages in my life. I have to say the winter one is my fave. Sometimes when this hen stood still we complete;y lost her. The young birders and I found 5 of them (a hen with chicks) on our last field trip. It has been a nemesis bird for our youth group for far too long and a lifer for most of them! We walked a total of 13 km to see these guys and it was worth every minute!