In this quick tutorial you'll learn how to draw a Ptarmigan in 8 easy steps - great for kids and novice artists.
The images above represent how your finished drawing is going to look and the steps involved.
Below are the individual steps - you can click on each one for a High Resolution printable PDF version.
At the bottom you can read some interesting facts about the Ptarmigan.
Make sure you also check out any of the hundreds of drawing tutorials grouped by category.
How to Draw a Ptarmigan - Step-by-Step Tutorial
Step 1: To start your Ptarmigan, draw a curved shape for the top of the head with a point sticking out for the beak. Male versions of this bird have a comb on top of their heads, just like a rooster!
Step 2: Draw a small circle for the eye, and then add a small semi-circle above the eye. Draw line in the beak for the mouth.
Step 3: To draw the body, draw a smooth line down the back. For the front, add a long curved line, leaving space down at the back.
Step 4: Draw the tail feather by adding two lines down connected by a round tip.
Step 5: Draw two lines down for the first leg, and add the pointy toes. The feet of the Ptarmigans act like snow shoes., since they like to live up in mountains and cold places.
Step 6: Now, draw two small lines and the foot behind the first leg to make the second leg.
Step 7: Next, draw the wing by making a smooth cone shape. Draw several lines at the back for feather patterns.
Step 8: Draw the feather pattern as shown by adding small curved lines throughout the body and wing. Color your Ptarmigan with a few black feathers and a red space above the eye!
Interesting Facts about Ptarmigans
Ptarmigans are a snow bird that changes its feathers for the seasons. In winter the birds turn white. In summer they are brown. They measure 13-14 inches long and have a wingspan of 21-24 inches. Ptarmigans can be found in the northern United States all the way up to Greenland. They like liking near mountains and very cold places. Adults like to eat plants like flower buds and seeds. Bugs are only given to the chicks.
Did you know?
- Male Ptarmigans have combs on top of their heads like roosters. They use them to show females they want to mate with them.
- The Ptarmigan is not endangered, but it does have to fight with man-made structures like ski lifts.
- A Ptarmigan’s feet act like snow shoes.
- The birds nest on the ground near large rocks.
- In Iceland, the Ptarmigan is popular food for festivals.
Lesson Plan Note: Draw two Ptarmigans on a sheet of paper. Give the students a copy and tell them to make one Ptarmigan look like their winter feathers and the other like their summer feathers.
How to Draw a Ptarmigan – Step-By-Step Tutorial