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Home/Species/ Mount Rainier White-tailed Ptarmigan

Lagopus leucura rainierensis

W. Taylor, 1920

Mount Rainier White-tailed Ptarmigan

T2T2 (G5T2T3) Found in 62 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
T2T2Global Rank
High - lowThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.1270011
Element CodeABNLC10032
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSubspecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassAves
OrderGalliformes
FamilyPhasianidae
GenusLagopus
Concept Reference
American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). 1957. The AOU check-list of North American birds, 5th ed. Port City Press, Inc., Baltimore, MD. 691 pp.
Taxonomic Comments
The validity of this subspecies is uncertain. Using microsatellites and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), Langin et al. (2018) found limited support for considering L. l. rainierensis, L. l. leucura, and L. l. peninsularis to be valid subspecies. Using SNPs, Zimmerman et al. (2021) found support for this subspecies as a distinct taxonomic unit.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-09-18
Change Date2024-09-18
Edition Date2024-09-18
Edition AuthorsGundy, R. L. (2024)
Threat ImpactHigh - low
Range Extent5000-20,000 square km (about 2000-8000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences1 - 20
Rank Reasons
This subspecies has a limited range at high elevations in Washington, United States and British Columbia, Canada. It is highly threatened by climate change, which is projected to greatly reduce the availability and quality of existing habitat by 2100.
Range Extent Comments
This subspecies is limited to the Cascades Range in Washington, United States and adjacent British Columbia, Canada (USFWS 2021). The northern edge of the range is presumed to be around Fraser Valley, British Columbia while the southern edge of the range is Mount Adams, Washington (USFWS 2021). Using Global Biodiversity Information Facility (2024) records, range extent is estimated to be approximately 17,724 km².
Occurrences Comments
There are approximately 6 occurrences (USFWS 2021).
Threat Impact Comments
Climate change is projected to decrease the amount of subalpine meadow habitat, decrease the quality of suitable habitat as meadows succeed to forest, reduce or shift the timing of food sources, and cause direct physiological stress to individuals (USFWS 2021). By 2100, much of the habitat is projected to become unsuitable or of poor quality (USFWS 2021). However, this assessment only accounts for impacts occurring over three generations (4.1 years, USFWS 2021) to 2036. Recreational activities (e.g.: skiing, snowmobiling, hiking) can reduce habitat suitability through physical disturbance of individual birds or disturbance of the habitat (USFWS 2021).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Breeding and brood-rearing habitat of Mount Rainier white-tailed ptarmigan is within the alpine zone, defined by treeline at its lower elevation limit and permanent snow or barren rock at its upper elevation limit. The alpine zone is a narrow band of sparsely distributed vegetation, including patches of sedge-turf communities, subshrubs, or krummholz (tree stunted by winds and frost) interspersed between snowfields, talus slopes, and fellfields (Douglas and Bliss 1977, USFWS 2021). In the North Cascades, this subspecies has been found in moist vegetation communities of mountain heather (Phyllodoce empetriformis and Cassiope mertensiana), dwarf huckleberry (Vaccinium deliciosum), crowfoot (Leutkea pectinata), sedge (Carex nigricans, C. spectabilis), and Tolmie's saxifrage (Saxifraga tolmiei) (USFWS 2021).

Reproduction

Copulation and nesting occurs in spring with females only raising one brood of up to 9 chicks per year (USFWS 2021). Chicks typically stay with females for 8-10 weeks but may remain associated through winter (USFWS 2021).
Terrestrial Habitats
AlpineBare rock/talus/scree
Other Nations (2)
CanadaNNR
ProvinceRankNative
British ColumbiaSNRYes
United StatesNNR
ProvinceRankNative
WashingtonSNRYes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
6 - Human intrusions & disturbanceSmall (1-10%)Slight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
6.1 - Recreational activitiesSmall (1-10%)Slight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
11 - Climate change & severe weatherPervasive (71-100%)Serious - slightHigh (continuing)
11.1 - Habitat shifting & alterationPervasive (71-100%)Serious - slightHigh (continuing)

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Roadless Areas (62)
Washington (62)
AreaForestAcres
Alpine Lakes Adj.Wenatchee National Forest57,104
Angry MountainGifford Pinchot National Forest445
BackboneGifford Pinchot National Forest1,201
Black CanyonOkanogan National Forest9,681
Blue LakeGifford Pinchot National Forest11,359
Blue SlideWenatchee National Forest17,505
Boulder RiverMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest32,563
Canyon CreekWenatchee National Forest7,983
Carlton RidgeGifford Pinchot National Forest2,190
ChambersGifford Pinchot National Forest2,006
ChelanWenatchee National Forest74,650
Coal Creek BluffGifford Pinchot National Forest1,164
CortrightGifford Pinchot National Forest3,462
Dark DivideGifford Pinchot National Forest52,483
Deer CreekGifford Pinchot National Forest882
Devils GulchWenatchee National Forest24,419
Dixon MountainGifford Pinchot National Forest6,339
Eagle RockMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest34,064
EntiatWenatchee National Forest72,617
Glacier Peak BMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest19,328
Glacier Peak IMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest15,175
Glacier Peak JMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest26,482
Glacier Peak KMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest47,269
Glacier Peak LMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest14,084
Goat Rocks AdjWenatchee National Forest6,108
Gotchen CreekGifford Pinchot National Forest7,518
Granite MountainOkanogan National Forest27,428
Heather LakeWenatchee National Forest10,628
HorseshoeGifford Pinchot National Forest7,579
Hungry RidgeOkanogan National Forest8,708
Laughing WaterGifford Pinchot National Forest1,167
Liberty BellOkanogan National Forest108,495
Lion RockWenatchee National Forest4,692
Long DrawOkanogan National Forest3,922
Long SwampOkanogan National Forest66,344
ManastashWenatchee National Forest11,155
Mt. Baker MaMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest24,847
Mt. Baker Noisy - DiobsudMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest56,039
Mt. Baker NorthMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest16,873
Mt. Baker WestMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest25,390
Myrtle LakeWenatchee National Forest11,133
NaneumWenatchee National Forest4,508
Nason RidgeWenatchee National Forest19,329
Norse PeakWenatchee National Forest10,169
Packwood LakeGifford Pinchot National Forest1,084
Pasayten RimOkanogan National Forest17,074
PompeyGifford Pinchot National Forest23,985
QuartzWenatchee National Forest8,550
Rock CreekWenatchee National Forest32,239
SawtoothOkanogan National Forest122,194
Slide RidgeWenatchee National Forest11,430
South MidwayGifford Pinchot National Forest2,384
South RidgeOkanogan National Forest6,151
Stormy Mtn.Wenatchee National Forest32,612
TaneumWenatchee National Forest26,140
TeanawayWenatchee National Forest72,849
Thorp Mtn.Wenatchee National Forest22,717
TiffanyOkanogan National Forest22,045
Twin LakesWenatchee National Forest22,496
West AdamsGifford Pinchot National Forest2,238
White PassGifford Pinchot National Forest1,145
WobblyGifford Pinchot National Forest6,335
References (12)
  1. American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). 1957. The AOU check-list of North American birds, 5th ed. Port City Press, Inc., Baltimore, MD. 691 pp.
  2. Douglas, G.W., and L.C. Bliss. 1977. Alpine and high subalpine plant communities of the North Cascades Range, Washington and British Columbia. Ecological Monographs 47 (2):113-150.
  3. Gill, F., D. Donsker, and P. Rasmussen (Eds). 2023. IOC World Bird List (v13.1). doi : 10.14344/IOC.ML.13.1.
  4. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). 2024. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) data portal. Online. Available: https://www.gbif.org/ (accessed 2024).
  5. Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). 2022. Integrated Taxonomic Information System: Biological Names. Online. Available: http://www.itis.gov.
  6. Langin, K.M., C.L. Aldridge, J.A. Fike, R.S. Cornman, K. Martin, G.T. Wann, A.E. Seglund, M.A. Schroeder, C.E. Braun, D.P. Benson, B.C. Fedy, J.R. Young, S. Wilson, D.H. Wolfe, and S.J. Oyler-McCance. 2018. Characterizing range-wide divergence in an alpine-endemic bird: a comparison of genetic and genomic approaches. Conservation Genetics 19:1471-1485.
  7. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2021. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Species Status for Mount Rainier White-Tailed Ptarmigan With a Section 4(d) Rule. Federal Register 86(113): 31668-31692.
  8. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2021. Species status assessment report for Mount Rainier White-tailed Ptarmigan (<i>Lagopus leucura rainierensis</i>). Version 1. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of Interior Region 9. 157 pp.
  9. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2022. Review of Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notification of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions. Notification of Review Federal Register 87(85): 26152-26178.
  10. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2024. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Species Status for Mount Rainier White-Tailed Ptarmigan With a Section 4(d) Rule. Final rule. Federal Register 89(128): 55091-55113.
  11. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2025. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Review of Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notification of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions. Candidate notice of review (CNOR). Federal Register 90(209):48912-48937.
  12. Zimmerman, S. J., C. L. Aldridge, K. M. Langin, G. T. Wann, R. Scott Cornman, and S. J. Oyler-McCance. 2021. Environmental gradients of selection for an alpine-obligate bird, the white-tailed ptarmigan (<i>Lagopus leucura</i>). Heredity 126(1): 117–131. doi: 10.1038/s41437-020-0352-6