Watercolor portrait of Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus)

Willow Ptarmigan

Lagopus lagopus
Found across Arctic and subarctic Alaska… Look for it in low, shrubby country in t… Uncommon Spring croak-display

Learn to identify the Willow Ptarmigan by ear. Master the "go-back, go-back, go-back!" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“go-back, go-back, go-back!”

What the Willow Ptarmigan sounds like

A chunky, chicken-like bird of Arctic willow scrub, the Willow Ptarmigan is famous for changing outfits with the seasons. In summer it wears warm chestnut and brown; by winter it turns nearly pure white and can seem to disappear into the snow.

“go-back, go-back, go-back!”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:The male’s main display is a rough, rolling croak-cackle tossed out from a hummock or low rise. It sounds froggy, rusty, and wonderfully wild in open tundra air. Often written as “go-back, go-back, go-back!”.
Don't confuse with:The Rock Ptarmigan — usually favors rockier, more open tundra and higher ground.

Where you'll hear it

Look for it in low, shrubby country in the far north—willow thickets, boggy tundra, muskeg, and brushy stream edges. It likes a mix of cover and open ground.

Spring is the noisy season, when males stand on hummocks, flash red eyebrow combs, and croak out display calls. In winter, small flocks feed quietly and may dive into soft snow to roost out of the cold.

Similar species

Rock Ptarmigan

Usually favors rockier, more open tundra and higher ground.

White-tailed Ptarmigan

Smaller and daintier overall.

Spruce Grouse

A forest bird, not a tundra willow-thicket specialist.

Willow Ptarmigan song FAQ

What does a Willow Ptarmigan sound like?
The male’s main display is a rough, rolling croak-cackle tossed out from a hummock or low rise. It sounds froggy, rusty, and wonderfully wild in open tundra air. Listen for the "go-back, go-back, go-back!" phrase.
How do I tell a Willow Ptarmigan from a Rock Ptarmigan by sound?
Rock Ptarmigan: Usually favors rockier, more open tundra and higher ground.; Breeding males look grayer overall and less richly chestnut on the neck.; Winter males often show a dark line through the eye, which Willow Ptarmigan usually lacks..
When is the best time to hear a Willow Ptarmigan?
Spring is the noisy season, when males stand on hummocks, flash red eyebrow combs, and croak out display calls. In winter, small flocks feed quietly and may dive into soft snow to roost out of the cold.