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Average size
15-17"
Favorite foods
green shoots, buds, flowers,
and insects
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Lesson
Plans
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Willow Ptarmigan, now we know we are in the North!
| Yesterday as I was driving through Gods
Lake Narrows with John Healey to look at some local sled
dogs, and I spotted a ptarmigan (Puh-TAR-mi-ghin) out
the window. Ptarmigan are the Alaska state bird and are
very common in the far north. However, ptarmigan are a
northern bird and are usually found on the tundra, not
in the boreal forest. |
Click to enlarge
In the winter ptarmigan are all white in the winter
to blend into the snow.
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In the summer ptarmigan change color
and have brown and white plumage.
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John has lived on Gods Lake all his life and he was
surprised when I pointed out the ptarmigan. We stopped
the truck and got out for a closer look. We were able
to count 7 ptarmigan hiding in the willow thicket next
to the road. John explained that ptarmigan are not very
common in Gods Lake Narrows, but 40 miles north at Gods
River, another community, they are common. As we head
further north we are hoping to see more of these interesting
birds of the North!
Keep exploring,
Dave
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