Discover the Willow Ptarmigan – the Official State Bird of Alaska

Alaska was the second to last state to join the United States, and it brings a ton to the table. It’s massive, has one of the most unique climates and geographies of any place in the world, and is choc-full of natural resources. One of the best things about Alaska is its natural diversity. Some animals live in Alaska that can’t be found anywhere else in the U.S., and the frontier nature of the state helps protect them through isolation. As such, Alaska symbolizes frontier mentality and feeling “on the edge of the world.” Today, we will look at one of Alaska’s symbols, specifically its state bird, and learn the history behind it. We’ll also look at some of the other state animals and symbols along the way. Let’s get started!

The Official State Bird of Alaska

The state bird of Alaska is the willow ptarmigan, a type of grouse that lives in the arctic tundra.

Alaska has a lot of birds, with some even joking that the mosquito is the state’s official bird! Thankfully, that isn’t the case. The willow ptarmigan was chosen as the state bird of Alaska in 1955 when Alaska was still a territory. The way it was determined? Kids! A group of schoolchildren from Anchorage suggested the bird to the legislature at the time, and a unanimous vote approved it. The willow ptarmigan became the official state bird when Alaska gained statehood in 1960. It is also a regional icon in Lapland, a northern region of Finland.

The bird is a fantastic fit for the state. The willow ptarmigan is quite a rugged and adaptable little bird, both important values for the state with some of the world’s toughest weather and terrain. It can survive harsh winters and is most famously known for its ability to change plumage colors during the winter.

The Willow Ptarmigan, a Resilient Little Bird

The willow ptarmigan is a bird that lives in the cold and harsh environments of the arctic tundra. It is also the most numerous and widespread of the three species of ptarmigan.

The willow ptarmigan is one of the more resilient birds in the world. It pretty much has to be because of where it lives! It’s native to the cold and snowy Arctic regions, which is why it’s also the national bird of Finland and Norway. Besides the willow ptarmigan, there are two other species that live in the tundra regions of the world: the rock and white-tailed ptarmigan. All three species are found in Alaska.

Part of what makes the willow ptarmigan special is its ability to adapt to the changing seasons. It can change its plumage color from brown in summer to white in winter, an ability that helps it to better blend into the snow and stay hidden from predators. On top of its camouflage abilities, it also grows its own little snowshoes! It will sprout feathers on its legs and toes that increase surface area and help it to walk on the snow and stay warm.

The willow ptarmigan is a medium-sized bird and usually weighs between 1-2 lbs. They are technically classified as grouse, a group of birds in the Galliformes order. Interestingly, populations in Britain don’t change plumage during the year and are considered a subspecies.

Other State Animals in Alaska

Besides the willow ptarmigan, Alaska has plenty of other amazing animals. Here are some other official state animals in Alaska.

Coming as no surprise to anyone, the state dog is the Alaskan Malamute, a dog bred initially by Inuit people in the region as a sled dog. They are mighty, extremely smart, and have wonderful demeanors. The Alaskan Malamute was officially listed as the state dog in 2010.

The state fish of Alaska is the King Salmon. King Salmon are the largest species of salmon in the state and are extremely prized sport fish. They go by another name, Chinook, and can grow to 100 lbs in some cases. King salmon migrate to saltwater after a few years, growing so large, feeding on squid and herring, only to migrate back into freshwater to spawn.

The state insect of Alaska is the four-spot skimmer dragonfly. This species of dragonfly has been listed as the official insect since 1995. They are exclusively carnivorous and eat mosquitoes, flies, and gnats primarily, all insects most people are ok missing!

The largest species of deer in the world and the state land animal of Alaska is the moose! Moose can grow to an incredible 1,500 lbs, stand 6 feet tall at the shoulder, and have huge sets of antlers. Few animals symbolize rugged wilderness like the moose, and it’s a great match to have them as the state land animal in Alaska.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Troutnut/Shutterstock.com