Behaviour and Social Structure in Svalbard Rock Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus hyperboreus

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Abstract
The behaviour and social structure of Svalbard Rock Ptarmigan were studied by direct observation, trapping, weighting marking, and telemetry from August 1980 to August 1982 on five breeding areas around Ny-Alesund. The first cocks arrived there in late March. until mid April territorial cocks were solitary and hostile towards both cocks and hens. Pairs formed from late April. Mate guarding was conspicuous. Pairs were monogamous until hens started to incubate. Later, promiscuity was common. Territorial cocks banded in 1981 were all found on the same territory in 1982. Some hens changed cock and territory but always within the same breeding area. Birds banded as chicks were never recovered as breeding birds on the area where they were banded.