From Opus

Lagopus leucura

Photo by bowerbird

Photo by Dave B Smith
Winter plumaged bird

[edit] Identification

30-32cm. In winter, it is pure white except for a black beak and eyes. In summer, it has a mottled and barred brown head, breast, and back with white wings, belly, and tail.

[edit] Distribution

Western United States, Canada and Alaska.

[edit] Taxonomy

[edit] Habitat

Open country in high mountains.

[edit] Behaviour

4-8 buff, faintly spotted eggs are laid in a hollow on the ground lined with a small amount of grass, leaves, and feathers. Males remain with the females until the eggs are hatched after an incubation period of 23 days.

[edit] External Links