Ptarmigan

Lagopus muta

Scarce & local resident in the Scottish Highlands with 10,000 breeding pairs & declining.

Also breeds in North America, Iceland, Northern & Central Scandinavia, Alps & the Pyrenees.

In the recent years, the Ptarmigan has now been added to the red list of endangered British Birds Category.

 The Breeding Male has greyish upper parts with white wings and underparts.

In Winter, its plumage becomes completely white except for the black outer tail feathers and eye line.

They have a croaky flight call.