Mar 13, 2013

Birds- Willow Ptarmigan, State bird of Alaska



Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) is state bird of Alaska. Also known as Willow Grouse, it is a type of grouse. As you see it is ground-dwelling bird and it is a herbivore. Though chicks eat some insects. I saw them all around near Savage River area of Denali National Park, Alaska. Spring is the nesting season. In summer they have a brown plumage with white underparts and in winter they change to white with black tail.  Info from wiki- The scientific name lagopus means 'hare footed' because the bird has feathered feet to survive in cold. Cool huh?
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This post is linked to Wild Bird Wednesday and Nature Notes.

Related Articles-
Alaska Attractions
National Parks of USA
More on birds

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Scrapbook- A Travel Blog by Kusum Sanu is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
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39 comments:

  1. mickMarch 13, 2013 at 1:46 AM

    Great photo of a beautiful bird.

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  2. EG CameraGirlMarch 13, 2013 at 1:49 AM

    Cool! I have never seen a grouse before!

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    1. KusumMarch 13, 2013 at 6:53 PM

      Well, now you have seen one, though a photo! :) Thanks!

      Delete
  3. Wally JonesMarch 13, 2013 at 3:41 AM

    Very nice photograph and really interesting information!

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  4. eileeninmdMarch 13, 2013 at 4:24 AM

    Very pretty bird and a great photo! Cool sighting!

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  5. KarenMarch 13, 2013 at 6:20 AM

    THat's a handsome bird!

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  6. LeoraMarch 13, 2013 at 6:53 AM

    Quite an interesting bird! Lovely shot.

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  7. amandaMarch 13, 2013 at 10:47 AM

    I was not aware of Alaska's state bird.. Now I know!
    One of my sons did a report on Alaska for early grade school, and taught us that the Forget-me-not is their state flower. That's been filed in my brain ever since.
    Little by little, I'm getting to know more about Alaska.. Thanks for sharing!

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    Replies
    1. KusumMarch 13, 2013 at 6:58 PM

      Thank you Amanda. Glad my blog is useful to people!

      Delete
  8. RamakrishnanMarch 13, 2013 at 3:17 PM

    A charming Alaskan bird. In the US they not only have a State Bird but also a State Insect, State Plant & State Animal. Alas In India we only have State Politicians !

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    1. KusumMarch 13, 2013 at 7:04 PM

      yes, the bird is very charming. In India, we still haven't have states declared properly. Many want their own states yet, and so may be later we can have state birds, animals declared!

      Delete
    2. RamakrishnanMarch 13, 2013 at 7:51 PM

      Hopefully one day during our life time this may happen !

      Delete
    3. KusumMarch 13, 2013 at 8:00 PM

      Hopefully, until then let us enjoy national animal and bird!

      Delete
  9. KusumMarch 13, 2013 at 6:54 PM

    Thanks Hans!

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  10. UnknownMarch 13, 2013 at 7:00 PM

    Great capture!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada,.

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  11. R Niranjan DasMarch 13, 2013 at 7:50 PM

    Looks pretty. Nice capture!

    http://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in/2013/03/river-narmada.html

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  12. Rambling WoodsMarch 14, 2013 at 2:26 AM

    Great coloration for blending in and great photo Kusum.. that park is supposed to be just amazing. Thank you for linking into Nature Notes...Michelle

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  13. NatureFootstepMarch 14, 2013 at 3:34 AM

    She is a little beauty. Love the color and shape. :)

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  14. Sallie (FullTime-Life)March 14, 2013 at 3:39 AM

    That is very cool that they have feathered feet -- they need them, living on the ground in that climate. Wow. She's a beautiful bird.

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    1. KusumMarch 14, 2013 at 7:50 AM

      Thanks Sallie! Nature has its protection for all its creatures.

      Delete
  15. TeamgsquareMarch 14, 2013 at 7:07 PM

    Clear capture , Love the white color around the eye .

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    1. KusumMarch 14, 2013 at 9:03 PM

      Thanks Dheeraj. Yes, the white ring around the eye is unique!

      Delete
  16. Yogi♪♪♪March 15, 2013 at 1:57 AM

    Beautiful bird, thanks for the information also.

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  17. Rahul BhatiaMarch 15, 2013 at 5:19 AM

    It is such a pleasure to visit your blog to see and read things one has not learnt this far! Thanks Kusum:)

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    1. KusumMarch 15, 2013 at 2:53 PM

      Thank you Bhatia Ji. Glad to read your kind words!

      Delete
  18. Stewart MMarch 15, 2013 at 2:45 PM

    Thats a very nice bird - I can remember seeing a few similar birds flying away from me in the higher parts of Scotland!

    I think most of the Kestrels around the world are variations on a theme!

    Cheers and thanks for linking to WBW

    Stewart M - Melbourne

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    1. KusumMarch 15, 2013 at 2:59 PM

      You are right, northern Scotland might have similar ones. Thanks!

      Delete
  19. D.NambiarMarch 19, 2013 at 6:44 AM

    They change colour? That's amazing!
    I have to say thank you for sharing this. I learnt a little something, today. :)

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    Replies
    1. KusumMarch 19, 2013 at 10:15 AM

      Yep, it seems they change color to white, may be camouflage themselves in the snow to escape getting hunted by predators. Thanks for visiting and gland you find it useful :)

      Delete
  20. D.NambiarMarch 19, 2013 at 6:46 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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