Ptarmigans of Ivvavik National Park

In Ivvavik National Park, the most frequently heard and seen bird is probably the ptarmigans. There are two species of ptarmigans in the park: the more common Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) and less common Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta).

In the beginning of the breeding season, it is quite common to see males clucking and flying around the field, and sometimes perching on treetops making its presence known.

Near our tent area, there was at least one male Willow Ptarmigan that liked to call out loudly while everyone was still asleep. For people that were not familiar with their calls, the sound was definitely weird and annoying (after a while). Click here to listen to their "nasal barking notes and rattles".

There was one particular male that wasn't shy (or probably not very smart) at all and allowed me to get quite close a few times for a close-up shot.

The females Willow Ptarmigans are more cryptically colored than the males.

There are Rock Ptarmigans in the park as well, but they are not as commonly found as the Willows. I think this one below is a male Rock Ptarmigan.

For our field work, we had to hike through the tussock swamps and fields, and we were always startled by the wonderfully camouflaged ptarmigans (as well as other birds, such as snipes and sandpipers). This was especially true when the chicks had all hatched, and then all the sudden there were the adults flying in front of you screaming while there were several chicks running for their lives. Such a wonderful experience in Ivvavik National Park.