Wildlife
Ptarmigans are possibly Britain's toughest birds and live in the cold, harsh mountains of Scotland. In snowy conditions, their feathered feet act as snow shoes, so the ptarmigan can walk even on soft snow.
Ptarmigans are masters of camouflage, changing their colour to suit the season. In winter, they are completely white except for a short black tail, while in summer a brown and yellow plumage blends the ptarmigan into the lichen covered rocks.
This wide-ranging game bird can be found in many of the world’s alpine and arctic regions, and they are the only birds in Britain to turn completely white.
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Tough birds
Ptarmigan spend their lives up high in the Scottish mountains.
Ptarmigan spend their lives up high in the Scottish mountains.
Spring plumage
In early spring, ptarmigan begin to change out of their winter white.
In early spring, ptarmigan begin to change out of their winter white.
Blending in
Ptarmigans change clothes to match the melting snows.
Ptarmigans change clothes to match the melting snows.
Spot the birdy
Ptarmigan blend perfectly into their barren mountain habitats.
Ptarmigan blend perfectly into their barren mountain habitats.
Ice-age relics
Ptarmigan and arctic hare are ice age survivors.
Ptarmigan and arctic hare are ice age survivors.
Species range provided by WWF's Wildfinder.
The Ptarmigan can be found in a number of locations including: Arctic, Asia, Europe, North America, Russia, United Kingdom. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.
The following habitats are found across the Ptarmigan distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
Least Concern
The Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) is a medium-sized gamebird in the grouse family. It is known simply as Ptarmigan in UK English and colloquially as Snow Chicken or Partridge in North America, where it is the official bird for the territory of Nunavut, Canada, and the official game bird for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
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Wild autumn
Autumn - a time of great change, of breathtaking migrations, of high drama.
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Helpless young
Camouflage
Courtship display
Adapted to flying
Acoustic communication
Maternal care
Egg layer
Social
Cold tolerant
Territorial
Visual communication