The Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) is a medium-sized game bird belonging to the grouse family. In Europe, it is simply known as the ptarmigan. This bird is adept at seasonal camouflage, changing its plumage from white in winter to brown in spring or summer. The male, during breeding season, sports greyish upper parts with white wings and underparts. In winter, the plumage is predominantly white, save for the black tail feathers and a distinctive eye line.
The Rock Ptarmigan measures approximately 34–36 cm in length, with a wingspan of 54–60 cm, and weighs between 440–640 grams. It is slightly smaller than its cousin, the Willow Ptarmigan. To identify the Rock Ptarmigan, look for its slender bill and black eye stripe, which is absent in the Willow Ptarmigan. In winter, the Rock Ptarmigan can be distinguished by its preference for higher elevations and more barren habitats compared to the Willow Ptarmigan.
This bird favors the rocky mountainsides and tundra of the Arctic and Subarctic regions. It thrives in the harsh conditions of the Arctic Cordillera and can be found in isolated populations across various mountain ranges, including those in Norway, Scotland, the Pyrenees, the Alps, Bulgaria, the Urals, the Pamir Mountains, the Altay Mountains, and Japan.
The Rock Ptarmigan is a sedentary species with a broad distribution across Eurasia and North America, including Greenland. It has been introduced to New Zealand, South Georgia, the Kerguelen Islands, and the Crozet Islands.
