[Length 14 in. Wingspan 23 in.]

This female "Aleutian" Rock Ptarmigan was photographed on Attu Island at the end of the Aleutians in Alaska, USA. Photo taken with a 300mm f4.5 Nikkor ED lens on Kodachrome 64 film. (Date: May 1984)

[Length 14 in. Wingspan 23 in.]

Rock Ptarmigans replace Willow Ptarmigans in rocky uplands and foothills across Canada and Alaska. They are the only Ptarmigans found on the outer Aleutian Islands. In summer the males are a dark, brownish-black above and a duller brown below. The females are a golden brown color overall to help them "blend in" on the nest while they incubate their eggs. In winter both male and female turn white to match their snowy surroundings. This winter plumage male Rock Ptarmigan was photographed along the Kougarok Road north of Nome, Alaska, USA. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm ED f4.5 lens on Kodachrome 200 film. (Date: May 1989)

[Length 14 in. Wingspan 23 in.]

This winter plumage male Rock Ptarmigan in flight was photographed along the Kougarok Road north of Nome, Alaska, USA. Photo taken with a Nikkor 300mm ED f4.5 lens on Kodachrome 200 film. (Date: May 1989)

[Length 14 in. Wingspan 23 in.]

This male Rock Ptarmigan was photographed in Denali National Park, Alaska, USA. Photo taken with a Nikkor 500mm f8.0 mirror lens on Kodachrome 200 film. (Date: June 1989)

[Length 12.5 in. Wingspan 22 in.]

White-tailed Ptarmigans live at high elevations in the mountains of Alaska and the western US and Canada. This White-tailed Ptarmigan was photographed in late spring in the rocks and snowfields above the 12,000 foot level at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, USA. Photo taken with a 300mm f4.5 Nikkor ED lens on Kodachrome 200 film. (Date: August 1980)

[Length 12.5 in. Wingspan 22 in.]

This White-tailed Ptarmigan was photographed in mid-summer in the rocks of an alpine meadow below the 10,000 foot level at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, USA. Photo taken with a 300mm f4.5 Nikkor ED lens on Kodachrome 64 film. (Date: June 1992)

[Length 12.5 in. Wingspan 22 in.]

This White-tailed Ptarmigan was photographed in mid-summer in an alpine meadow below the 10,000 foot level at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, USA. Photo taken with a 300mm f4.5 Nikkor ED lens on Kodachrome 64 film. (Date: August 1980)

[Length 15 in. Wingspan 24 in.]

Willow Ptarmigan breed in lowland tundra habitat across Canada and Alaska. In the late spring the males defend territories and attract mates with brief flight displays. This handsome male was photographed along the road at Denali National Park in Alaska, USA. Photo taken with a 300mm f4.5 Nikkor ED lens on Kodachrome 200 film. (Date: June 1989)