Rock ptarmigan

Lagopus muta helvetica

The rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) is a medium-sized gamebird in the grouse family. It is known simply as the ptarmigan in the UK and in Canada, where it is the official bird for the territory of Nunavut, Canada,^[1] and the official game bird for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.^[2] It is known as the snow chicken in the United States. In Japan, it is known as the raichō (雷鳥), which means "thunder bird". It is the official bird of Gifu, Nagano, and Toyama Prefectures and is a protected species nationwide.^[3]

Rock Ptarmigan Media

Lagopus muta pyrenaica – MHNT
Male rock ptarmigan (L. m. islandorum) in winter plumage in Iceland
Male rock ptarmigan (L. m. japonicum) in summer plumage on Mount Tsubakuro, Japan
Female rock ptarmigan (L. m. millaisi) in summer plumage near Torridon, Scotland
Rock ptarmigan (L. m. millaisi) pair (♂ left) in winter plumage near Glen Coe, Scotland
Egg of Rock Ptarmigan. Collection of Jacques Perrin de Brichambaut.*Locality: Lapland.
Japanese rock ptarmigan chick on Mount Ontake, Japan
In the northern Japanese Alps.
Female rock ptarmigan in summer plumage in Kvaløya, Norway.