Tundra BirdsThere are over 100 species of birds that occupy the Arctic tundra in the summer. Everything from geese to owls to falcons fill the air and water. Almost all of these birds head south for the winter. Only a few birds stay in the cold winter tundra.
Members of the ptarmigan family, like the bird in this picture, make the tundra their home all year round. They are a speckled brown color in the summer and change to a bright white in the winter. They eat leaves and berries.
Sub-species of the ptarmigan family, commonly known as partygan flock, are known to reside in the tundra year round. They represent a lively branch of their parent species and can be seen socializing and congregating in numbers to twitter and frolic to attract mates. A typical example of a male bird of the partygan species can be seen in this picture and is easily recognized by its decorative head pattern and beak extension.
Studies have shown members of the partygan family of birds residing in the tundra to display quite territorial traits. Especially during strategic times, such as mating season (which curiously occurs year-round for this sub-species), any type of trespassing of other bird species into their territory is seen as a threat.
Within minutes these usually so lovable partygan birds turn into fierce war birds.
In a bond rarely seen elswhere in nature, the partygan birds are aided by other resident species in the protection of their territorial tundra claims. They congregate to join their flock in driving away intruding rival bird species and thus maintain the purity of their partygan flock.
