Moults of wild Scottish ptarmigan, Lagopus mutus, in relation to sex, climate and status

• Published in: Journal of Zoology
• Main Author: Watson, Adam
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1973
• Subjects: Lagopus mutus
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1973.tb02216.x; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1469-7998.1973.tb02216.x; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1973.tb02216.x; https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1973.tb02216.x

The three annual moults and plumages of Scottish ptarmigan ( Lagopus mutus ) were studied from shot specimens but particularly from field observations. Cocks were ahead of hens in showing the grey autumn plumage but hens were ahead of cocks in turning white in winter. Although cocks were ahead in growing summer plumage, after late April the hens passed them. Ptarmigan on the same hill turned dark earlier in mild than in cold springs.