The smallest bird in the grouse family, the white-tailed ptarmigan is also one of the few animals ... is an “indicator species” for high-elevation ecosystems — the canary in the alpine — its path ...

“Like a canary in a coal mine, the ptarmigan is telling us ... sure we don’t lose so many vulnerable plants and animals.” The smallest bird in the grouse family, white-tailed ptarmigans are one of the ...