Rock Ptarmigan

Copyright: AW/monacoeye • Iceland, May 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Rock Ptarmigan
Latin: Lagopus muta
Other: Snow Chicken, Partridge (US) • Alpenschneehuhn (De) • Fjällripa (Sv) • Pernice bianca (It) • perdiz nival (Es)
Family: Phasianidae • Pheasants, Grouse, Ptarmigans
Range: Japan, Canada, Scotland, Iceland, Scandinavia, Alps, Greenland etc
Similar: Willow Grouse

Here the Ptarmigan is changing from its white winter plumage, to its mottled brown breeding plumage. A time when it is particularly vulnerable to the Gyr Falcon, as the white plumage is very visible against the stones.