Rock Ptarmigan

Lagopus muta (Lagopus mutus)

General Status Rank: 
Secure
ELCODE: 
ABNLC10020
Common Name: 
Rock Ptarmigan
Scientific Name: 
Lagopus muta (Lagopus mutus)
Synonyms: 
Lagopus mutus
Naming References: 
ASC7
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Bird
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Aves
Order: 
Galliformes
Family: 
Phasianidae
References: 
B004
General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

1, can nest as yearlings
References: 
A108

Economic/Human Considerations

Hunted, food
References: 
H126
Habitat
tundra = drier areas than for Willow ptarmigan; mountains = higher areas
References: 
B004
H126
Distribution

Ecozones

Arctic Cordillera, Northern Arctic, Southern Arctic, Taiga Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield
References: 
B004

Distribution

0.71
Score: 
G
References: 
LWB02
Winter Distribution Description: 
in breeding range and southward

Number of Occurrences

More than 300
Score: 
E
References: 
H126

Area of Occupancy

Presumed stable, movements southernward in winter
Score: 
-
References: 
A108
H126
R126
W027
Population

Population Size

Probably very large; June population in North America has been estimated at 2.1 to 8.4 million individuals (Holder and Montgomerie 1993 in W027) .
Score: 
FG
References: 
H126
W027

Density

Number of males per sq. km 0.2 (1996), was 1.5 in 1987
Trends

Trends

unknown across range but rapid decline (86% in 9yrs from 1987 to 1996) was detected (air surveys) in center of range, near Hope Bay, NU; decline was also detectable from 1985 to 1989 using ground counts (H126,R126,A108); Populations fluctuate widely (2-4 fold up to 8-10 fold) over an approximately 10-year cycle (W027)
References: 
A108
H126
R126
W027
Threats

Threats

Adapt well to disturbance; Decline detected in centre of range may not be part of 10 yr cycle, reason unknown
References: 
H126
R126

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Not known on most of range, Adapt well to disturbance; Decline detected in centre of range may not be part of 10 yr cycle, reason unknown
Score: 
C
References: 
H126
R126
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Secure
Status Rank Description: 
Populations fluctuate widely, widespread species
S Rank: 
S5
Decision Process Description: 
Drafted by Suzanne Carriere based on printed references. Reviewed in 2005 by S Carrière based on printed literature only :modified to secure from sensitive: correction of error on cause of decline (prob natural); more information needed in North; Reviewed in 2010;no change; Reviewed in 2015, no change; Reviewed in 2020, no change
Last Updated: 
June 16, 2020

References

Age Of Maturity

  • Cotter, R. C. (1999) The reproductive biology of Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus) in the Central Canadian Arctic. Arctic Institute of North America Arctic 52:23-32 RWED Library - A108 Return

Area of Occupancy

  • Cotter, R. C. (1999) The reproductive biology of Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus) in the Central Canadian Arctic. Arctic Institute of North America Arctic 52:23-32 RWED Library - A108 Return
  • Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return
  • Shank, C. (1996) 1996 Central Arctic raptor surveys. RWED, GNWT Internal report S Carriere office; copy in database references - R126 Return
  • Dunn, E.H (2005) National action needs for Canadian Landbird Conservation,. Canadian Wildlife Service Landbird Committee, Version 1. [http://www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/birds/action/index_e.cfm]. - W027 Return

Economic Status

  • Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return

Ecozones

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Habitat

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return
  • Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return
  • Shank, C. (1996) 1996 Central Arctic raptor surveys. RWED, GNWT Internal report S Carriere office; copy in database references - R126 Return

Naming

  • AOU (2004) Forty-fifth supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union check-list of North American birds. AUK 121:985-995 - ASC7 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return

Population Size

Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return
,
Dunn, E.H (2005) National action needs for Canadian Landbird Conservation,. Canadian Wildlife Service Landbird Committee, Version 1. [http://www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/birds/action/index_e.cfm]. - W027 Return

Range Extent

  • National Geographic Society (1999) Field Guide to the Birds of North America.. National Geographic Society Third Edition EC-CWS, Yellowknife - LWB02 Return

Short Term Trends

  • Cotter, R. C. (1999) The reproductive biology of Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus) in the Central Canadian Arctic. Arctic Institute of North America Arctic 52:23-32 RWED Library - A108 Return
  • Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return
  • Shank, C. (1996) 1996 Central Arctic raptor surveys. RWED, GNWT Internal report S Carriere office; copy in database references - R126 Return
  • Dunn, E.H (2005) National action needs for Canadian Landbird Conservation,. Canadian Wildlife Service Landbird Committee, Version 1. [http://www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/birds/action/index_e.cfm]. - W027 Return

Taxonomy

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Threats

  • Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return
  • Shank, C. (1996) 1996 Central Arctic raptor surveys. RWED, GNWT Internal report S Carriere office; copy in database references - R126 Return