Grouse & Ptarmigan

Sharp-tailed Grouse, Willow Ptarmigan, Rock Ptarmigan, Spruce Grouse

231A6678.CR3 - 5/18/25 - Profile of a sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) photographed in a burn near Beaver Creek, Yukon, Canada.

231A6678.CR3 - 5/18/25 - Profile of a sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) photographed in a burn near Beaver Creek, Yukon, Canada.

231A6594.CR3 - 5/18/25 - A male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) performs its mating dance in mid-May.

231A6594.CR3 - 5/18/25 - A male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) performs its mating dance in mid-May.

231A6624.CR3 - 5/18/25 - A male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) performs its mating dance in mid-May.

231A6624.CR3 - 5/18/25 - A male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) performs its mating dance in mid-May.

231A6646.CR3 - 5/18/25 - A male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) performs its mating dance in mid-May.

231A6646.CR3 - 5/18/25 - A male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) performs its mating dance in mid-May.

231A6411.CR3 - 5/18/25 - A sharp-tailed grouse stands watch from the top of an aspen near Beaver Creek, Yukon, Canada. Sharptailed grouse feed on aspen catkins in the springtime.

231A6411.CR3 - 5/18/25 - A sharp-tailed grouse stands watch from the top of an aspen near Beaver Creek, Yukon, Canada. Sharptailed grouse feed on aspen catkins in the springtime.

231A6495.CR3 - 5/18/25 - A sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) forages in a burned area. Burns create important habitat for sharp-tailed grouse in Alaska and the Yukon.

231A6495.CR3 - 5/18/25 - A sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) forages in a burned area. Burns create important habitat for sharp-tailed grouse in Alaska and the Yukon.

231A6484.CR3 - 5/18/25 - A sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) forages in a burned area. Burns create important habitat for sharp-tailed grouse in Alaska and the Yukon.

231A6484.CR3 - 5/18/25 - A sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) forages in a burned area. Burns create important habitat for sharp-tailed grouse in Alaska and the Yukon.

231A6562.CR3 - 5/18/25 - A male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) prepares to dance in a burn in the Yukon, just east of the Alaska border.

231A6562.CR3 - 5/18/25 - A male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) prepares to dance in a burn in the Yukon, just east of the Alaska border.

231A6425.CR3 - 5/18/25 - A sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) forages in a burned area. Burns create important habitat for sharp-tailed grouse in Alaska and the Yukon.

231A6425.CR3 - 5/18/25 - A sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) forages in a burned area. Burns create important habitat for sharp-tailed grouse in Alaska and the Yukon.

231A6432.CR3 - 5/18/25 - A sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) forages in a burned area. Burns create important habitat for sharp-tailed grouse in Alaska and the Yukon.

231A6432.CR3 - 5/18/25 - A sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) forages in a burned area. Burns create important habitat for sharp-tailed grouse in Alaska and the Yukon.

231A6613.CR3 (vert.) - 5/18/25 - A male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) performs its mating dance in mid-May.

231A6613.CR3 (vert.) - 5/18/25 - A male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) performs its mating dance in mid-May.

231A6613.CR3 - 5/18/25 - A male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) performs its mating dance in mid-May.

231A6613.CR3 - 5/18/25 - A male sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) performs its mating dance in mid-May.

3U7A9217.CR3 - 5/5/23 - A male willow ptarmigan shows off its festive breeding colors in early May. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

3U7A9217.CR3 - 5/5/23 - A male willow ptarmigan shows off its festive breeding colors in early May. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

3U7A9424.CR3 - 5/5/23 - A male willow ptarmigan in spring breeding colors forages in early May. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

3U7A9424.CR3 - 5/5/23 - A male willow ptarmigan in spring breeding colors forages in early May. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

3U7A0561.CR3 -5/5/23 - A willow ptarmigan feeds on willow catkins on an early May morning in Southcentral Alaska's Chugach State Park.

3U7A0561.CR3 -5/5/23 - A willow ptarmigan feeds on willow catkins on an early May morning in Southcentral Alaska's Chugach State Park.

3U7A0892.CR3 -5/5/23 - A willow ptarmigan feeds on willow catkins on an early May morning in Southcentral Alaska's Chugach State Park.

3U7A0892.CR3 -5/5/23 - A willow ptarmigan feeds on willow catkins on an early May morning in Southcentral Alaska's Chugach State Park.

3U7A2063.CR3 - 2/22/23 - A willow ptarmigan is framed by a pair of aspen trunks in golden morning light.

3U7A2063.CR3 - 2/22/23 - A willow ptarmigan is framed by a pair of aspen trunks in golden morning light.

3U7A5331.CR3 - 2/22/23 - Flanked by willows, a willow ptarmigan blends into its snowy background perfectly.

3U7A5331.CR3 - 2/22/23 - Flanked by willows, a willow ptarmigan blends into its snowy background perfectly.

3U7A5508.CR3 - 2/22/23 - A willow ptarmigan blends in perfectly with its snowy winter environment. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

3U7A5508.CR3 - 2/22/23 - A willow ptarmigan blends in perfectly with its snowy winter environment. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

231A6221.CR3 - 4/10/24 - A willow ptarmigan blends in perfectly with its snowy winter environment. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

231A6221.CR3 - 4/10/24 - A willow ptarmigan blends in perfectly with its snowy winter environment. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

231A6328.CR3 - 4/10/24 - A willow ptarmigan forages among snow-covered alders and willows. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

231A6328.CR3 - 4/10/24 - A willow ptarmigan forages among snow-covered alders and willows. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

231A6658.CR3 - 4/10/24 - A willow ptarmigan forages among snow-covered alders and willows. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

231A6658.CR3 - 4/10/24 - A willow ptarmigan forages among snow-covered alders and willows. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

231A6856.CR3 - 4/10/24 - A male willow ptarmigan feeds on willow buds. Willows provide critical cover and food for ptarmigan year-round. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

231A6856.CR3 - 4/10/24 - A male willow ptarmigan feeds on willow buds. Willows provide critical cover and food for ptarmigan year-round. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

231A6994.CR3 - 4/10/24 - A male willow ptarmigan feeds on willow buds. Willows provide critical cover and food for ptarmigan year-round. Chugach State Park, Alaska..CR3 -

231A6994.CR3 - 4/10/24 - A male willow ptarmigan feeds on willow buds. Willows provide critical cover and food for ptarmigan year-round. Chugach State Park, Alaska..CR3 -

231A6972.CR3 - 4/10/24 - A male willow ptarmigan feeds on willow buds. Willows provide critical cover and food for ptarmigan year-round. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

231A6972.CR3 - 4/10/24 - A male willow ptarmigan feeds on willow buds. Willows provide critical cover and food for ptarmigan year-round. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

231A6991.CR3 - 4/10/24 - A male willow ptarmigan feeds on willow buds. Willows provide critical cover and food for ptarmigan year-round. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

231A6991.CR3 - 4/10/24 - A male willow ptarmigan feeds on willow buds. Willows provide critical cover and food for ptarmigan year-round. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

231A7294.CR3 - 4/10/24 - A willow ptarmigan absorbs some sunshine on a cold, late-winter day in Southcentral Alaska's Chugach State Park.

231A7294.CR3 - 4/10/24 - A willow ptarmigan absorbs some sunshine on a cold, late-winter day in Southcentral Alaska's Chugach State Park.

231A7350.CR3 - 4/10/24 - A willow ptarmigan absorbs some sunshine on a cold, late-winter day in Southcentral Alaska's Chugach State Park.

231A7350.CR3 - 4/10/24 - A willow ptarmigan absorbs some sunshine on a cold, late-winter day in Southcentral Alaska's Chugach State Park.

231A7594.CR3 - 4/10/24 - WHITE ON WHITE: A willow ptarmigan pops its head up over a snowbank of bright winter morning in Southcentral Alaska's Chugach State Park.

231A7594.CR3 - 4/10/24 - WHITE ON WHITE: A willow ptarmigan pops its head up over a snowbank of bright winter morning in Southcentral Alaska's Chugach State Park.

231A7998.CR3 - 4/10/24 - A male willow ptarmigan feeds on willow buds. Willows provide critical cover and food for ptarmigan year-round. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

231A7998.CR3 - 4/10/24 - A male willow ptarmigan feeds on willow buds. Willows provide critical cover and food for ptarmigan year-round. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

3U7A4179.CR3 - 2/22/23 - A willow ptarmigan perfectly imitates a lump of snow as it rests among alpine willows. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

3U7A4179.CR3 - 2/22/23 - A willow ptarmigan perfectly imitates a lump of snow as it rests among alpine willows. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

3U7A4756.CR3 - 2/22/23 - A willow ptarmigan forages among snow-covered alders and willows. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

3U7A4756.CR3 - 2/22/23 - A willow ptarmigan forages among snow-covered alders and willows. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

3U7A5211.CR3 - 2/22/23 - Willow ptarmigan tracks lead up a draw toward a willow thicket. Willows provide primary food and cover for willow ptarmigan. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

3U7A5211.CR3 - 2/22/23 - Willow ptarmigan tracks lead up a draw toward a willow thicket. Willows provide primary food and cover for willow ptarmigan. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

3U7A5213.CR3 - 2/22/23 - Willow ptarmigan tracks lead up a draw toward a willow thicket. Willows provide primary food and cover for willow ptarmigan. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

3U7A5213.CR3 - 2/22/23 - Willow ptarmigan tracks lead up a draw toward a willow thicket. Willows provide primary food and cover for willow ptarmigan. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

3U7A5508.CR3 - 2/22/23 - A willow ptarmigan, white as snow, blends in perfectly with its winter surroundings in Southcentral Alaska's Chugach State Park.

3U7A5508.CR3 - 2/22/23 - A willow ptarmigan, white as snow, blends in perfectly with its winter surroundings in Southcentral Alaska's Chugach State Park.

3U7A5561.CR3 - 2/22/23 - A willow ptarmigan, white as snow, blends in perfectly with its winter surroundings in Southcentral Alaska's Chugach State Park.

3U7A5561.CR3 - 2/22/23 - A willow ptarmigan, white as snow, blends in perfectly with its winter surroundings in Southcentral Alaska's Chugach State Park.

3U7A5747.CR3 - 2/22/23 - A willow ptarmigan, white as snow, blends in perfectly with its winter surroundings in Southcentral Alaska's Chugach State Park.

3U7A5747.CR3 - 2/22/23 - A willow ptarmigan, white as snow, blends in perfectly with its winter surroundings in Southcentral Alaska's Chugach State Park.

3U7A5768.CR3 - 2/22/23 - A willow ptarmigan, white as snow, blends in perfectly with its winter surroundings in Southcentral Alaska's Chugach State Park.

3U7A5768.CR3 - 2/22/23 - A willow ptarmigan, white as snow, blends in perfectly with its winter surroundings in Southcentral Alaska's Chugach State Park.

3U7A6776.CR3 - 2/22/23 - Resembling living snowballs, a pair of willow ptarmigan feed on willow buds in Southcentral Alaska's Chugach State Park.

3U7A6776.CR3 - 2/22/23 - Resembling living snowballs, a pair of willow ptarmigan feed on willow buds in Southcentral Alaska's Chugach State Park.

3U7A7774.CR3 - 5/22/23 - In this image taken in late May, a willow ptarmigan hen pauses on a paved section of the Denali Highway near Paxson.

3U7A7774.CR3 - 5/22/23 - In this image taken in late May, a willow ptarmigan hen pauses on a paved section of the Denali Highway near Paxson.

3U7A7921.CR3 - 5/22/23 - In this image taken in late May, a willow ptarmigan male oversees its breeding territory along the Denali Highway.

3U7A7921.CR3 - 5/22/23 - In this image taken in late May, a willow ptarmigan male oversees its breeding territory along the Denali Highway.

3U7A7950.CR3 - 5/22/23 - In this image taken in late May, a willow ptarmigan male oversees its breeding territory along the Denali Highway.

3U7A7950.CR3 - 5/22/23 - In this image taken in late May, a willow ptarmigan male oversees its breeding territory along the Denali Highway.

3U7A9987.CR3 - A willow ptarmigan male in spring breeding colors pauses in early May. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

3U7A9987.CR3 - A willow ptarmigan male in spring breeding colors pauses in early May. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

3U7A0453.CR3 - 5/5/23 - A willow ptarmigan male establishes its breeding territory by calling out from the branches of an alpine willow shrub. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

3U7A0453.CR3 - 5/5/23 - A willow ptarmigan male establishes its breeding territory by calling out from the branches of an alpine willow shrub. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

3U7A0498.CR3 - 5/5/23 - A willow ptarmigan male establishes its breeding territory from the branches of an alpine willow shrub. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

3U7A0498.CR3 - 5/5/23 - A willow ptarmigan male establishes its breeding territory from the branches of an alpine willow shrub. Chugach State Park, Alaska.

3U7A1083.CR3 - 5/5/23 - A willow ptarmigan male establishes its breeding territory by calling out from the alpine tundra of Chugach State Park, Alaska.

3U7A1083.CR3 - 5/5/23 - A willow ptarmigan male establishes its breeding territory by calling out from the alpine tundra of Chugach State Park, Alaska.

231A0485.CR3 - 6/4/24 - A male willow ptarmigan in spring breeding colors stands alert on the tundra outside of Nome, Alaska.

231A0485.CR3 - 6/4/24 - A male willow ptarmigan in spring breeding colors stands alert on the tundra outside of Nome, Alaska.

231A0599.CR3 - 6/4/24 - A male willow ptarmigan in spring breeding colors stands alert on the tundra outside of Nome, Alaska.

231A0599.CR3 - 6/4/24 - A male willow ptarmigan in spring breeding colors stands alert on the tundra outside of Nome, Alaska.

231A2354.CR3- 6/4/24 - A male willow ptarmigan in spring breeding colors dusts on an early June evening outside of Nome, Alaska.

231A2354.CR3- 6/4/24 - A male willow ptarmigan in spring breeding colors dusts on an early June evening outside of Nome, Alaska.

231A2419.CR3 - 6/4/24 - A male willow ptarmigan in spring breeding colors dusts on an early June evening outside of Nome, Alaska.

231A2419.CR3 - 6/4/24 - A male willow ptarmigan in spring breeding colors dusts on an early June evening outside of Nome, Alaska.

231A8454.CR3 - 6/4/24 - A willow ptarmigan keeps watch over its breeding territory from a tussock outside of Nome, Alaska.

231A8454.CR3 - 6/4/24 - A willow ptarmigan keeps watch over its breeding territory from a tussock outside of Nome, Alaska.

231A8560.CR3 - 6/4/24 - A willow ptarmigan hen forages outside of Nome, Alaska, after a light early-June snowfall.

231A8560.CR3 - 6/4/24 - A willow ptarmigan hen forages outside of Nome, Alaska, after a light early-June snowfall.

231A8583.CR3 - 6/4/24 - A male willow ptarmigan in spring breeding colors takes a display flight over its territory outside of Nome, Alaska.

231A8583.CR3 - 6/4/24 - A male willow ptarmigan in spring breeding colors takes a display flight over its territory outside of Nome, Alaska.

231A8584.CR3 - 6/4/24 - A male willow ptarmigan in spring breeding colors takes a display flight over its territory outside of Nome, Alaska.

231A8584.CR3 - 6/4/24 - A male willow ptarmigan in spring breeding colors takes a display flight over its territory outside of Nome, Alaska.

231A9774.CR3 - 6/4/24- A willow ptarmigan male in spring breeding colors stands watch from a driftwood pile near the Bering Sea coast outside of Nome, Alaska.

231A9774.CR3 - 6/4/24- A willow ptarmigan male in spring breeding colors stands watch from a driftwood pile near the Bering Sea coast outside of Nome, Alaska.

231A6975.CR3 - 6/3/24 - A male rock ptarmigan, distinguished from females by black eye stripe and vivd red eye combs, pauses along the road system outside of Nome, Alaska.

231A6975.CR3 - 6/3/24 - A male rock ptarmigan, distinguished from females by black eye stripe and vivd red eye combs, pauses along the road system outside of Nome, Alaska.

231A6992.CR3 - 6/3/24 - A male rock ptarmigan, distinguished from females by black eye stripe and vivd red eye combs, pauses along the road system outside of Nome, Alaska.

231A6992.CR3 - 6/3/24 - A male rock ptarmigan, distinguished from females by black eye stripe and vivd red eye combs, pauses along the road system outside of Nome, Alaska.

231A4262.CR3 - 5/15/25 - Male spruce grouse photographed in Alaska's Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge.

231A4262.CR3 - 5/15/25 - Male spruce grouse photographed in Alaska's Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge.

231A4490.CR3 - 5/15/25 - A spruce grouse hen encountered in Alaska's Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge stands on alert.

231A4490.CR3 - 5/15/25 - A spruce grouse hen encountered in Alaska's Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge stands on alert.

231A4442.CR3 - 5/15/25 - A spruce grouse hen encountered in Alaska's Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge stands on alert.

231A4442.CR3 - 5/15/25 - A spruce grouse hen encountered in Alaska's Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge stands on alert.

231A4561.CR3 - 5/15/25 - A spruce grouse hen encountered in Alaska's Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge stands on alert.

231A4561.CR3 - 5/15/25 - A spruce grouse hen encountered in Alaska's Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge stands on alert.

3U7A1860.CR3 - 10/3/23 - A spruce grouse hen on Southcentral Alaska's Kenai Peninsula casts a wary eye on its surroundings one day in early October.

3U7A1860.CR3 - 10/3/23 - A spruce grouse hen on Southcentral Alaska's Kenai Peninsula casts a wary eye on its surroundings one day in early October.

3U7A2009.CR3 - 10/3/23 - A spruce grouse hen on Southcentral Alaska's Kenai Peninsula casts a wary eye on its surroundings one day in early October.

3U7A2009.CR3 - 10/3/23 - A spruce grouse hen on Southcentral Alaska's Kenai Peninsula casts a wary eye on its surroundings one day in early October.

231A4053.CR3 - 4/23/24 - A male spruce grouse keeps watch from its perch in a white spruce in Southcentral Alaska's Matanuska Valley.

231A4053.CR3 - 4/23/24 - A male spruce grouse keeps watch from its perch in a white spruce in Southcentral Alaska's Matanuska Valley.

3U7A7935.CR3 - 8/12/23 - A spruce grouse keeps watch as its brood hides in the trees nearby. Kincaid Park, near Anchorage in Southcentral Alaska.

3U7A7935.CR3 - 8/12/23 - A spruce grouse keeps watch as its brood hides in the trees nearby. Kincaid Park, near Anchorage in Southcentral Alaska.

3U7A7921.CR3 - 8/12/23 - A spruce grouse hen ruffles its feathers as its brood hides in the trees nearby. Kincaid Park, near Anchorage in Southcentral Alaska.

3U7A7921.CR3 - 8/12/23 - A spruce grouse hen ruffles its feathers as its brood hides in the trees nearby. Kincaid Park, near Anchorage in Southcentral Alaska.

3U7A7929.CR3 - 8/12/23 - A spruce grouse hen cranes its neck as its brood hides in the trees nearby. Kincaid Park, near Anchorage in Southcentral Alaska.

3U7A7929.CR3 - 8/12/23 - A spruce grouse hen cranes its neck as its brood hides in the trees nearby. Kincaid Park, near Anchorage in Southcentral Alaska.

3U7A7950.CR3 - 8/12/23 - A spruce grouse keeps watch as its brood hides in the trees nearby. Kincaid Park, near Anchorage in Southcentral Alaska.

3U7A7950.CR3 - 8/12/23 - A spruce grouse keeps watch as its brood hides in the trees nearby. Kincaid Park, near Anchorage in Southcentral Alaska.

3U7A0190.CR3 - 10/3/23 - A spruce grouse male, distinguished from a hen by its black and white-bordered chin patch, pauses while picking gravel on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula in early October.

3U7A0190.CR3 - 10/3/23 - A spruce grouse male, distinguished from a hen by its black and white-bordered chin patch, pauses while picking gravel on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula in early October.

231A7675.CR3 - 9/25/24 - A spruce grouse male pauses among fall colors one morning on Southcentral Alaska's Kenai Peninsula.

231A7675.CR3 - 9/25/24 - A spruce grouse male pauses among fall colors one morning on Southcentral Alaska's Kenai Peninsula.

231A7932.CR3 - 9/25/24 - A spruce grouse male pauses among fall colors one morning on Southcentral Alaska's Kenai Peninsula.

231A7932.CR3 - 9/25/24 - A spruce grouse male pauses among fall colors one morning on Southcentral Alaska's Kenai Peninsula.

231A8275.CR3 - 9/25/24 - A spruce grouse hen watches for danger from the safety of a black spruce tree in Southcentral Alaska's Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.

231A8275.CR3 - 9/25/24 - A spruce grouse hen watches for danger from the safety of a black spruce tree in Southcentral Alaska's Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.

231A8275.CR3 - 9/25/24 - A spruce grouse hen watches for danger from the safety of a black spruce tree in Southcentral Alaska's Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.

231A8275.CR3 - 9/25/24 - A spruce grouse hen watches for danger from the safety of a black spruce tree in Southcentral Alaska's Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.

231A8370.CR3 - 9/25/24 - A spruce grouse hen watches for danger from the safety of a black spruce tree in Southcentral Alaska's Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.

231A8370.CR3 - 9/25/24 - A spruce grouse hen watches for danger from the safety of a black spruce tree in Southcentral Alaska's Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.

3U7A8032.CR3 - 8/12/23 - A half-grown spruce grouse chick eyes the forest floor for danger. Spruce grouse chicks are able to fly shortly after hatching.

3U7A8032.CR3 - 8/12/23 - A half-grown spruce grouse chick eyes the forest floor for danger. Spruce grouse chicks are able to fly shortly after hatching.