Ptarmigan

DLC-Exclusive content.

This content requires the Tales from the Far Territory addon to be installed before it can be seen or used in regular gameplay.

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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

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Overview

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.

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.

	Item	Quanity	Rarity
	Ptarmigan (Raw)	0.8-1.5 Kg (1.8-3.3 lbs)	Always
	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

The behavior and interactions with Ptarmigans are mechanically similar to Rabbits; loitering around specific areas on the map designated as Ptarmigan Nests (instead of Rabbit Groves) in small flocks and they are able to be stunned with a Stone. The only main difference from Rabbits is that Ptarmigans tend to stay within higher ground areas in many regions, and if disturbed will fly away and will not return to the nest area for some time (usually returning after 1-4 days). Ptarmigans are not active during the night and typically despawn from the world, a unique trait they share with Crows.

Ptarmigans are passive and generally docile: walking, cooing, and pecking the ground. They may be heard nearby from their distinctive call.
If the survivor or a wolf alerts them, the Ptarmigan flock will run a short distance on foot as they begin fleeing and then take flight. A crouched survivor may approach very close to Ptarmigans.
Thrown Stones will temporarily stun a Ptarmigan, allowing them to be retrieved and Killed or Released. This will alert the remaining flock however. Missed Stones will alert the flock into fleeing.
Ptarmigan are instantly killed from a single Bow arrow. A Bow kill will not disturb the rest of the flock for a short time, allowing multiple birds to be hunted quickly (best accomplished with multiple disposable Fire Hardened Arrows. Firearms can also kill Ptarmigans, but their report will always startle the flock into fleeing.
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.

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).

Food for Wolves

Despite their affinity for higher locations on the map, Ptarmigans can be hunted by Wolves, Timberwolves, and Poisoned Wolves if they run into each other, with a Wolf potentially killing one and causing the remaining flock to flee. Fleeing Wolves/Bears can also disturb a flock.

Ptarmigan have no other interaction with other wildlife, and ignore Deer, Moose, and Rabbit.

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 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 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 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.

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.

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

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 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 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 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

Trivia

Ptarmigan appears to be based on the winter plumage of the Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta), a species of Galliformes identifiable by its black tail and red crest above the eye.
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. (official source here)