ptarmigan
/ˈtɑːmɪɡ(ə)n
/noun
A northern grouse of mountainous and Arctic regions, with feathered legs and feet and plumage that typically changes to white in winter.
- Genus Lagopus, family Tetraonidae: two species, in particular the (rock) ptarmigan (L. mutus) of Eurasia and North America.
- Willow ptarmigan, rock ptarmigan and spruce grouse are a few of the ground-dwelling birds.
- The biologist and writer Julian Huxley, grandson of Darwin's great friend and supporter Thomas Henry Huxley, thought that the white plumage of the male ptarmigan might distract a predator away from the female.
Origin
Late 16th century: from Scottish Gaelic tàrmachan. The spelling with p- was introduced later, suggested by Greek words starting with pt-.
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