The ptarmigan
Lagopus mutus
This member of the Tetraonidae Family is a biological relict of the ice ages that affected the greater part of Europe during the Quaternary. Today, in the Southern and Central part of the old continent, the ptarmigan is only found in the Alps. It prefers cold areas, generally at high altitudes, where it chooses snow-covered environments. In the Alps, it occupies altitudes between 2000m and 3000m. Its favourite habitats are sheltered snow valleys, moraines and alpine grassland with a short and discontinuous vegetation cover. The bird’s diet largely depends on the habitat and consists of buds, shoots, leaves and berries, varying, in any case, according to the season and the prevailing snow cover.
During the mating season, couples will form: when it thaws, the males become territorial and in the spring, courtship displays may be observed and you can here the male’s “song”. The female lays six to eight eggs that will be incubated for about three weeks. After the young have hatched, the male will usually return to higher altitudes to join up with other males, whereas the female remains with her offspring, often well into the autumn, when groups consisting of many families are formed, which may consist of up to eighty individuals.
During the mating season, couples will form: when it thaws, the males become territorial and in the spring, courtship displays may be observed and you can here the male’s “song”. The female lays six to eight eggs that will be incubated for about three weeks. After the young have hatched, the male will usually return to higher altitudes to join up with other males, whereas the female remains with her offspring, often well into the autumn, when groups consisting of many families are formed, which may consist of up to eighty individuals.
