Ptarmigan  (Lagopus mutus)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Description

The Scottish race of the ptarmigan is found only in Scotland, and is the only bird in Britain to turn white during winter (4). This gamebird has a rounded body, a small head and feathered feet that act as snow-shoes, allowing them to walk on soft snow (5). During summer, both sexes become greyish-brown, and females have more coarsely barred plumage with an overall yellowish hue (3). They blend in with lichen-covered rocks (6). In winter they turn totally white except for the short, black tail (3). Males have a blackish patch between the eye and the bill at all times of the year; they also develop a bright red wattle over the eye in summer (6). Ptarmigans produce a range of snoring or belch-like sounds and a characteristic ‘arr orr ka-karrr’ call (3).

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