Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Upland Birds => Topic started by: danderson on July 28, 2015, 09:46:11 PM

Title: What kind of bird is this
Post by: danderson on July 28, 2015, 09:46:11 PM: 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.
Title: Re: What kind of bird is this
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on July 28, 2015, 09:47:05 PM: 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.
Title: Re: What kind of bird is this
Post by: JayBird02 on July 28, 2015, 11:58:59 PM: I'm guessing a White Tailed Ptarmigan.
Title: Re: What kind of bird is this
Post by: JayBird02 on July 29, 2015, 12:28:36 AM: here is a picture of one I took from google
Title: Re: What kind of bird is this
Post by: RadSav on July 29, 2015, 12:33:36 AM: Quote from: JayBird02 on July 28, 2015, 11:58:59 PM
I'm guessing a White Tailed Ptarmigan.

Sure looks like one to me!
Title: Re: What kind of bird is this
Post by: RadSav on July 29, 2015, 12:39:42 AM: 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?
Title: Re: What kind of bird is this
Post by: PlateauNDN on July 29, 2015, 01:08:12 AM: 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. :dunno: nice pic danderson. :tup:
Title: Re: What kind of bird is this
Post by: Bigshooter on July 29, 2015, 02:47:45 AM: Quote from: JayBird02 on July 28, 2015, 11:58:59 PM
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.
Title: Re: What kind of bird is this
Post by: RadSav on July 29, 2015, 03:01:58 AM: Quote from: Bigshooter on July 29, 2015, 02:47:45 AM
Quote from: JayBird02 on July 28, 2015, 11:58:59 PM
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
Title: Re: What kind of bird is this
Post by: Bigshooter on July 29, 2015, 05:24:20 AM: Quote from: RadSav on July 29, 2015, 03:01:58 AM
Quote from: Bigshooter on July 29, 2015, 02:47:45 AM
Quote from: JayBird02 on July 28, 2015, 11:58:59 PM
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.
Title: Re: What kind of bird is this
Post by: danderson on July 29, 2015, 06:59:22 AM: 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.
Title: Re: What kind of bird is this
Post by: boneaddict on July 29, 2015, 07:05:33 AM: Looks like a wt ptarmigan. Fantastic. I've seen two sets in my life. Both way way back in the mountains. Very cool!
Title: Re: What kind of bird is this
Post by: Firedogg on July 29, 2015, 07:08:32 AM: Ptarmigin, pretty common around here at higher elevations. See them all the time up at Mt Rainier above Paradise and around Sunrise.
Title: Re: What kind of bird is this
Post by: ribka on August 01, 2015, 11:11:26 AM: Quote from: Firedogg on July 29, 2015, 07:08:32 AM
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
Title: Re: What kind of bird is this
Post by: Watimberghost on August 01, 2015, 11:45:32 AM: Great pic! What a beautiful bird!
Title: Re: What kind of bird is this
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on August 01, 2015, 12:02:08 PM: Amazing, didn't know they existed in WA.
Title: Re: What kind of bird is this
Post by: WCTaxidermy on August 02, 2015, 10:46:14 PM: 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!
Title: Re: What kind of bird is this
Post by: RadSav on August 02, 2015, 11:25:31 PM: 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.