Ptarmigan  (Lagopus mutus)

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 (2). They blend in with lichen-covered rocks (6). In winter they turn totally white except for the short, black tail (2). 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 (2).