Willow ptarmigan in favourable seasons, many juveniles may survive and the population of willow ptarmigan is prone to wide fluctuations in size. By September, families begin to form flocks. The females and young migrate to lower altitudes and may overwinter from their breeding grounds in wooded valleys and hilly country. The males also congregate in small groups but do not usually travel as far as the females. The willow ptarmigan was adopted as the state bird of Alaska in 1955. Widespread and not uncommon in its remote habitat, the willow ptarmigan is classified as a species of "Least Concern" by the IUCN.
2012 Arctic Winter Games Arctic Winter Games was the first to have a relay. Rather than passing a baton or torch, however, a song was relayed. The youth at the games passed on a song, was in effort to promoting heritage awareness and cultural diversity. 2012's mascot is a Husky dog named 'Borealis'. The dog sports a Whitehorse Arctic Winter Games 2012 shirt and, as is common in Huskies, has different coloured eyes (known as heterochromia). 19 sports were present. Sports are listed with the number of events that took place. The Hodgson trophy for fair play and team spirit is awarded at the