White-tailed Ptarmigan – Whistlers Peak, AB

This White-tailed Ptarmigan was a special find high on Whistlers Peak above the Jasper SkyTram in Alberta. We found three of these well nicknamed “snow chickens” wandering across the rocky alpine terrain at the summit. White-tailed Ptarmigan live almost entirely above the treeline, making them one of North America’s true high-elevation specialists. Their mottled summer plumage blends remarkably well with the rocks. Winter turns them almost completely white where they live in the snow. We can add this lifer to the growing list of birds we have found on our tours. All you have to do is put a bird at the end of the hike and we will go just about anywhere.