Rock Ptarmigan

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Rock Ptarmigan in the UK

A resident found only in the Scottish Highlands, where it lives on the highest, barest ground all year. In Britain it is just called Ptarmigan. It is hard to count and numbers rise and fall in cycles of about ten years, so estimates vary widely: the population is in the thousands of pairs. It was moved to the Red List in 2021. Its range has shrunk by about a tenth since the early 1970s, with losses on lower hills, mainly in the north-west. Climate warming is the main long-term worry for a bird tied to cold, open summits.

Where and when to see a Rock Ptarmigan

You have to go up. Most birds live above about 800 metres, lower in the far north-west. The Cairngorms hold the most, and the upper car park and paths at Cairngorm Mountain give the easiest access. The Glenshee ski area is another well-used starting point. Walk slowly through boulder fields and stony ridges and scan ahead: birds sit tight and trust their camouflage. Winter is good, as birds gather in flocks and show against patchy snow. Carry full hill kit and check the mountain forecast.

Habitat, diet and field notes

Habitat: High-altitude tundra.
Diet: Buds, shoots, berries.
Field note: Plumage moults white in winter.

How to identify a Rock Ptarmigan

A plump gamebird slightly larger than a Grey Partridge, with feathered legs and toes. The wings and belly are white all year, obvious as soon as a bird flies. In winter the whole bird is white apart from a black tail, and males have a black line from bill to eye. In summer males are mottled grey-brown above and females a warmer golden-brown with fine barring. Autumn birds are greyer. Males have a red comb over the eye. It walks or crouches instead of flying, and lets you come close.

Call and song

A dry, creaking croak or rattle, like a stick dragged along a fence or a slow fishing reel: 'arr-arr-kakarrr'. Males give it in display flight and when flushed. It carries well across a quiet corrie. Heard something you cannot place? Bird Hear identifies UK birds from a 10 second recording, free in your browser.

Confusion species

• Red Grouse: Red Grouse is dark reddish-brown all year with dark wings, and lives lower down on heather moor, though the two overlap at the upper heather edge.
• Black Grouse: A female Black Grouse is larger, barred grey-brown all over with dark wings and a notched tail, and keeps to moorland edge and woodland.

Related guide Bird migration in Britain.

Conservation status and Birdedex points

In the Birdedex the Rock Ptarmigan is a Rare tier bird, worth +8 points when you log one. It is Red-listed in Birds of Conservation Concern 5, the highest level of concern in the UK.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Red GrouseUncommon · Heather moorland
• Bearded Vulture (Lammergeier)Legendary · High mountains
• Dartford WarblerRare · Lowland heath (S. England)
• CapercaillieRare · Scottish pine forest

Rock Ptarmigan: quick answers

Where can I see a Ptarmigan in the UK?

Only in the Scottish Highlands, on mountains high enough to have bare, stony tops. The Cairngorms are the stronghold, with others on the main ranges north and west to Sutherland. There are none in England, Wales or Ireland.

Why does the Ptarmigan turn white in winter?

For camouflage against snow. It moults three times a year to match the hill in each season: white in winter, mottled in summer and grey in autumn. Birds caught out by a snowless winter stand out to eagles and foxes.

What does a Ptarmigan eat?

Shoots, leaves, buds and berries of low mountain plants such as heather, crowberry and blaeberry, with some insects for chicks. In winter it scratches through snow to reach plants, and roosts in snow hollows for shelter.

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