imported>Timberawoo: "Ptarmigans are less active during the night, appearing in smaller numbers." is this accurate? Haven't seen any data to corraborate this.

2026-02-05T18:11:47Z

"Ptarmigans are less active during the night, appearing in smaller numbers." is this accurate? Haven't seen any data to corraborate this.

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{{Infobox/Wildlife
|name = Ptarmigan
|image = Ptarmigan.png
|release= 21 June 2023
|update = 2.17
|role = Prey
|size = Small
|eyes = Black
|color = White
}}{{TFTFT}}{{Quote2|A small winter bird that gathers in flocks. Can be a source of food, and its Feathers become a useful crafting material.|Official Hinterland Description}}
'''Ptarmigan''' are an avian species of prey wildlife found on [[Great Bear Island]]. They were introduced in the Part 3: Frontier Comforts update of the [[Tales from the Far Territory]], and can only be encountered by players who have bought the expansion pass.

== Overview ==
Ptarmigans are small white birds that typically gather in flocks of up to 4-6 members depending on game difficulty, and are a source of both food and down feathers. They are half the size of a Rabbit, and with their snowy white plumage, they are harder to see from a distance. This requires the player to be extra perceptive when attempting to locate a flock as they can usually be found from listening for the loud cooing/clucking sounds they make, rather than line of sight.

Each region contains only a handful of specific areas populated with Ptarmigans, making them an uncommon hunting target. They prefer high altitude locations, and don't appear in the lower altitude coastal regions.

== Drops ==
When killed, a [[Ptarmigan Carcass]] can be butchered on the spot or carried whole, similar to a [[Rabbit Carcass]]. A whole bird weighs only slightly more than its meat and down feathers and harvesting is a time consuming process (30 minutes for each bundle). Unlike other animals, Ptarmigans are unique in that they do not drop Hides or Intestines.

{| class="fandom-table"
!
!Item
!Quanity
!Rarity
|-
|[[File:Ptarmigan (Raw) icon.png|64x64px]]
|[[Ptarmigan (Raw)]]
|0.8-1.5 Kg (1.8-3.3 lbs)
|Always
|-
|[[File:Ptarmigan Down icon.png|64x64px]]
|[[Ptarmigan Down]]
|4 Bundles
|Always
|}
Ptarmigan meat is a necessary ingredient in making all stews, as it is the only reliable way of obtaining [[Broth]].

Down Feathers are used as a crafting ingredient in improving a [[Bedroll]] into an [[Improvised Down Bedroll]] or the creation of the [[Improvised Insulation]] accessory.

== Behaviour ==
Ptarmigans behave similar to [[Rabbit|Rabbits]]; slowly wandering around their nests (instead of Rabbit Groves) in small flocks, and they are able to be stunned with a thrown [[Stone]]. Unlike Rabbits which appear across Great Bear Island, Ptarmigans are only present in non-coastal regions and usually nest at high ground areas. If disturbed they will fly away and not return to the nest area for a time (1-4 days). Ptarmigans are less active during the night, appearing in smaller numbers.

* Ptarmigans are generally docile: walking, cooing and pecking around their nesting grounds; they may be heard nearby from their distinctive call.
* If the survivor or a predator alerts them, individual Ptarmigans will run a short distance before taking flight. Once in flight it is still possible to hit a ptarmigan with weapons, though extremely difficult.
* It is possible to shoot a fleeing or even flying Ptarmigans, though difficult. [[Revolver]] shots can be helpful at shooting flying Ptarmigan due to their fast fire rate.
* It is possible (but reckless) to hunt entire Ptarmigan flocks with a well placed [[Noisemaker]] if they are bunched together enough, though this tactic is not generally recommended.
* Throwing (RMB) a lit Torch or Flare near Ptarmigans causes the flock to flee. Placing the lit item on the ground will not startle the birds.
* Ptarmigans will ignore a lit [[Campfire]]. However they will keep a distance of rougly 2 meters form it.
* Unlike most animals, ptarmigans can also spawn during a blizzard (for example an the plateau of the[[Homesteader's Respite]].

=== Ptarmigan Nests ===
Ptarmigan Nests are locations that Ptarmigans will always loiter around. They are similar to Rabbit Groves, appearing on the [[Map]] with a special nest icon after the area is surveyed with [[Charcoal]]. Ptarmigan Nests always spawn 4-6 Ptarmigan at a time, and are found at high altitudes within regions.

'''Ptarmigan and their Nests do not spawn in coastal regions''' (I.E. [[Desolation Point]], [[Crumbling Highway]], [[Coastal Highway]], and [[Bleak Inlet]]).

=== Hunting ===

* A crouched survivor may approach very close to Ptarmigans, within ~10 meters before they flee.
* Thrown [[Torch|Torches]] (RMB) will startle ptarmigans. If carrying a lit torch while hunting Ptarmigans, extinguish it or "Drop" it from the Inventory menu instead of throwing.
* Similar to [[Rabbit|Rabbits]], a thrown [[Stone|Stones]] will temporarily stun a Ptarmigan if it hits, allowing one from a flock to be caught and "Killed" or "Released". This will alert the remaining flock to flee, as will missed stones.
* Ptarmigan are instantly killed from any type of arrow, notably crafted [[Fire Hardened Arrow|Fire Hardened Arrows]]. Killing ptarmigans with arrows will not disturb the flock, allowing multiple birds to be hunted quickly.
* Firearms kill Ptarmigans, but their report will startle the flock.

== Wildlife Interactions ==

* Ptarmigan stay close to their flock of 4-6, but will individually flee if startled.
* [[Wolf|Wolves]] as well as [[Timberwolf|Timberwolves]] and [[Poisoned Wolf|Poisoned Wolves]] will hunt nearby Ptarmigan. Fleeing wolves will also scare ptarmigans.
* [[Bear]], [[Moose]] and [[Cougar]] will cause Ptarmigans to flee, but will not hunt them.
* [[Deer]] will ignore Ptarmigan, and vice versa.
* [[Rabbit]] will ignore a Ptarmigan, and mostly vice versa: startled Rabbits will also startle Ptarmigans.
* [[Escape the Darkwalker|The Darkwalker]] will startle Ptarmigan, and [[Toxic Fog]] will instantly kill them.
* The Survivor: Ptarmigan will be startled if they detect the survivor (~30m standing, ~10m crouched). They also flee from firearms reports, firearms impacts, thrown items (stones, torches, flares).
* If a Ptarmigan is stunned by a thrown [[Stone]], it can be quickly picked up and killed or released. If released, The Survivor will pat the confused Ptarmigan and placing them ground, causing them to flee a moment later.

==Spawn Locations==
===[[Ash Canyon]]===
*A flock right under the three root climbing sections with the rose hip trees leading to the bridge going over [[Shattered Cove]].
*A flock near the creek flowing from [[Gold Mine]]/[[Mining Camp]]. It replaces the previous [[Rabbit Grove]].
*A flock at [[Homesteader's Respite]].
*A flock (of 2?) near the bottom most rope climb up to [[High Meadow]].
*A flock between [[Foreman's Retreat]] and the open cave with the bed.
*A flock in front of [[Climber's Cave]].

=== [[Blackrock]] ===

* Between the rope climb at [[Cutty's Cave]] and the [[Foreman's Clearcut]] trailer, there are two rock formations shown on the charcoal map. The first one can have a backpack and has [[Reishi Mushroom]]. Exactly in between those two rock formations is where the flock spawns.
* A flock right next to [[Whistling Perch]], practically running around the 5 [[Green Birch Sapling|Birch Saplings]] there.
* A flock at the top of the rope climb next to [[Forager's Remnant]], where cat tails and a maple sapling grow.
* At the second transmitting tower facing the [[Blackrock Prison|Prison]], on the ledge overlooking the road leading out of the prison
* Just east of [[Bricklayer's Retreat]], on the hill near the [[Timberwolf]] spawn and the [[Green Birch Sapling|Birch sapling]] spawn.

=== [[Broken Railroad]] ===

* Flock right in front of [[Rickety Foot Bridge]] (Birch Sapling side).
* Plateau above the [[Maintenance Yard]] (next to Maple Saplings).
* A flock right of the top of the rope climb next to the [[Hunting Lodge]].

=== [[Forlorn Muskeg]] ===
*A flock can be seen at the [[Muskeg Overlook]] plateau, where the eastern radio tower stands.
*A flock can be seen at the plateau south of the tunnel to [[Broken Railroad]].
*A flock can be seen at the top of Marsh Ridge, in the path to the right of the cave that leads to the waterfall.

=== [[Forsaken Airfield]] ===
*A flock nests at a small pond within the rocky one way paths leading from beneath the rope climb near [[Justy's Hovel]] to the regions exit.
*They are sometimes found in a clearing north of the [[Island Cottage]], on [[Drift Island]].
*A flock can be seen at the frozen pond near [[Mindful Cabin|Mindful Cabin.]]

===[[Hushed River Valley]]===
* A Flock near a rock Arch, south (straight on the crossing) from the [[Many Falls Vista]] climbing site.
* A Flock near the western most cave at the same plateau as [[Hushed River]], reached for example by following the map edge from [[Offset Falls]] or from the middle entrance to the "North Ice cave".
* A Flock at [[Peak Cave]].
*A flock near [[Pensive Vista]].
*A flock at [[Monolith Lake]].
*A Flock may spawn south-east of the cave near the [https://thelongdark.fandom.com/wiki/Mementos#Hushed_River_Valley Rock Cache Memento,] south of Many Falls Vista.
*A Flock may spawn just outside the ice cave which runs along the river south of [[Mammoth Falls|Mammoth Falls.]]

===[[Mountain Town]]===
* A flock typically scavenges around the [[Picnic Area]].
* A flock can be found down the slope next to the bear cave past [[Spruce Falls Bridge]].
* A flock can be found near the blue Trailer near the cave to [[Hushed River Valley]].
* A flock can be found uphill of [[Paradise Meadows Farm]].

=== [[Mystery Lake (region)|Mystery Lake]] ===
* A flock near [[Camp Office]] near the rocks across from the front door.
* A flock may appear at [[Lake Overlook]].
* A flock can be seen near the potential [[Prepper cache|Prepper Cache]] above [[Dave's Quiet Clearing]].
* A flock can be sighted at the top of the path leading to the Abandoned Lookout & the [[Forestry Lookout]].
* A flock can also be located at the [[Destroyed Lookout]].

=== [[Pleasant Valley]] ===

* A flock can be found in the area of [[Signal Hill]] near Maple Sapling on the right side.
* A flock may spawn at the top of the lower rope climb to the east of [[Signal Hill]]
* A flock near the bridge between the [[Point of Disagreement]] and [[Derelict Cabins]], on the left side if going uphill.
*A flock near the hunter's blind near the [[Crash Site (Pleasant Valley)|Crash Site]] of the jet airliner.
*A flock can spawn on a hill a short distance northeast of [[Three Strikes Farmstead]]

===[[Timberwolf Mountain]]===
*A flock scavenges between the rope climb from [[Crystal Lake]] and "Cave C"/[[Engine]] on the narrowed ledge near a corpse and/or deer corpse shot with a broken [[Simple Arrow|Arrow]]. You would take this route if traveling to [[Blackrock]] region.
*A flock can spawn at Andre's Peak
*A flock directly in front of an unnamed cave on the right(east) side of the map. Reached when going towards the [[Ash Canyon]] transition cave after crossing the "Fallen Tree bridge" bridge over [[Echo Ravine]].
*A flock near the [[Tail Section]] in the [[Summit]].
*A flock iin front of the cave on the [[Summit]].

=== [[Transfer Pass]] ===

* East of [[Vacant Depot]], on the edge of the frozen water, before the path going towards [[Conductor's Dropoff]].
* On a ridge south west of [[Loitering Marsh]], right on the edge of the marsh.
* Due west of [[Vacant Depot]], near the far western edge of the map.

=== [[Zone of Contamination]] ===

* At [[Boss's Settlement]], between the two main destroyed cabins
* Along a one-way passage leading from the [[Miner's Footpath]] through the northwestern mountains to the [[Indolent Hoppers]]

== Trivia ==
*Ptarmigan appears to be based on the winter plumage of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willow_ptarmigan Willow Ptarmigan] ('''''Lagopus lagopus'''''), a species of Galliformes identifiable by its red crest above the eye and changing feather colors that match the seasons.
*The correct plural pronounciation of Ptarmigan is either Ptarmigan or Ptarmigans (similar to Fish or Fishes).
*Ptarmigan are also the Nunavut’s official bird, one of symbol for the territorial heritage of north-east Canada. ([https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/provincial-territorial-symbols-canada/nunavut.html official source here])

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Ptarmigan icon.png|Ptarmigan icon used in the Far Territory marketing
File:Ptarmigan-768x432.png
File:Ptarmigan Up Close.jpg|A Ptarmigan up close
File:Wolf eating Ptarmigan.png|A Wolf feeding on a Ptarmigan
</gallery>
{{Wildlife}}
[[Category:Wildlife]]
[[Category:DLC Content]]
[[ru:Куропатка]]

Ptarmigan - Revision history

imported>Timberawoo: "Ptarmigans are less active during the night, appearing in smaller numbers." is this accurate? Haven't seen any data to corraborate this.