Ptarmigan

About the Ptarmigan

The ptarmigan is a member of the gamebird family - slightly bigger than the closely related grey partridge. In winter, these birds become white all over other than the tail and eye-patch, which are still black. In summer, upperparts are a mixture of black, brown and grey with white bellies and wings.

Ptarmigans breed in the highest mountains on arctic-like landscapes in the highlands of Scotland. They are residents and will stay close to their breeding sites.

When the weather gets really cold, ptarmigans will often move to edges of forests.

What does a Ptarmigan eat?

Their diets consist of insects, berries, leaves, shoots and leaf buds.