The ptarmigan is a medium-sized, plump game bird in the grouse family, found predominantly in the Scottish Highlands. It displays three plumage phases: breeding, non-breeding and winter. Both sexes are largely white in winter except for a black tail and black eyes. Males sport a bright red eye-comb during courtship.

Behaviour

Ptarmigan moult their body feathers three times a year (white in winter, mottled brown in summer and grey in autumn), to maintain camouflage. The Scottish sub-species (Lopus muta millaisi) has a more prolonged grey colour phase, thought to be an adaptation to the mountains. They become sexually mature at six months of age. Males usually mate with one female producing one brood a year of up to seven eggs. Both hen and chicks abandon the nest within 24 hours of hatching.

Ptarmigan live all year round on montane heath eating freshly-formed leaves, buds and fruits of heath and herbs. They always remain close to rocks used for cover from predators and weather.

Size

• Length: 34-36cm (tail 8 cm)
• Wingspan 54-60cm
• Weight: 400-600g (male); 350-450g (female)

Status

Ptarmigan is Red-listed in the UK as a Bird of Conservation Concern.

Distribution

Ptarmigans occupy the high tops of the Scottish Highlands, favouring montane habitats above the treeline, where they breed and are resident. They seldom move far from breeding sites though may move from the highest ground to the edge of forests in severe winters. Very small isolated populations exist in the Southern Uplands, Arran and the Inner and Outer Hebrides, where the loss of food plants due to overgrazing by sheep has led to a reduction in numbers and range.

When to see

All year round

Facts

• In winter ptarmigan develop thick feathers on their feet, which act as snow-shoes.
• The plumage of ptarmigan changes colour due to hormone levels in the blood. Production of these hormones, particularly melatonin is influenced largely by day length.
• The word ptarmigan comes from the Scottish Gaelic ‘tarmachan’, meaning croaker.