A local birder, Ray Mason, sent our Birding Guru, John Tschopp, two outstanding pictures of Ptarmigans taken at Hope Creek a few days ago. They appear to be White-tailed Ptarmigans. Thanks guys!
The White-tailed Ptarmigan (Lagopus leucura), aka the Snow Quail, is the smallest type of grouse, and changes its speckled gray brown plumage in winter to dress whites. Dining on buds, leaves, flowers and seeds, the white-tailed ptarmigan nests in simple depressions in the ground. And apparently makes good eating. (No recipes included.)
The Wellness Almanac 