What kind of bird is this

[danderson]

What kind of bird is this, spotted this bird a few weeks ago in the Enchantments at 7000 foot elevation, she had a bunch of little ones running around , my guess would be grouse but never seen one with a white wing.

[WapitiTalk1]

She's a blue and a fine one at that 

Edit:  Where I grew up in MT, we called em turkey grouse.  Fine table fare. 

[JayBird02]

I'm guessing a White Tailed Ptarmigan.

[JayBird02]

here is a picture of one I took from google

[RadSav]

I'm guessing a White Tailed Ptarmigan.

Sure looks like one to me!

[RadSav]

Another White-Tail pic.  This one from Bing

Not unheard of in WA, but rare sighting for sure.  What a great photo and awesome experience.  Did you get any pics of the fuzz balls?

[PlateauNDN]

I seen one similar off the top of hog ranch Rd. Walked up to about 10yds before it flew off. Could've been a grouse but it looked like that. nice pic danderson.

[Bigshooter]

I'm guessing a White Tailed Ptarmigan.

That was my first thought, until I read where the pic was taken.  Have never heard of them being in WA.

[RadSav]

I'm guessing a White Tailed Ptarmigan.

That was my first thought, until I read where the pic was taken.  Have never heard of them being in WA.

Interesting video Mount Rainier 

[Bigshooter]

I'm guessing a White Tailed Ptarmigan.

That was my first thought, until I read where the pic was taken.  Have never heard of them being in WA.

Interesting video Mount Rainier 

Very interesting video.  I had no idea that they were in WA.

[danderson]

  I didn't get any pictures of the little fuzz ball chicks, didn't want to pressure them any as they scurried around, had plenty of opportunity's as there wasn't  much cover just granite boulders at that elevation, that would be great if they could get established, wonder if they turn all white in winter.

[boneaddict]

Looks like a wt ptarmigan.   Fantastic.   I've seen two sets in my life.  Both way way back in the mountains.   Very cool!

[Firedogg]

Ptarmigin, pretty common around here at higher elevations. See them all the time up at Mt Rainier above Paradise and around Sunrise.

[ribka]

Ptarmigin, pretty common around here at higher elevations. See them all the time up at Mt Rainier above Paradise and around Sunrise.

pretty rare but I usually see one or 2 hiking up by sunrise.
Never seen one outside park though

cool

[Watimberghost]

Great pic! What a beautiful bird!

[WapitiTalk1]

Amazing, didn't know they existed in WA.   

[WCTaxidermy]

Ptarmigan for sure!  There are actually more of them in Washington than what people think.  I had one two years ago in December right off my deck that was in his full white phase.  Of course by the time I got the camera, he was gone! 

[RadSav]

A WDFW link  http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/research/projects/grouse/white-tailed_ptarmigan/

With no open season hunters need to be careful.  Years ago I saw a few in the Pasayten that were almost completely void of white.  Could have made a mistake very easily.