ptarmigan

noun

ptar·mi·gan ˈtär-mi-gən

plural ptarmigan or ptarmigans

: any of various grouses (genus Lagopus) of northern regions with completely feathered feet

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web This technique is commonly found among Arctic animals, including hares, foxes, lemmings and a bird called the ptarmigan. —

Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 6 Mar. 2023 The white-tailed ptarmigan calls the Uinta mountains home. —

Matt Hardinge, Outdoor Life, 30 Oct. 2020 Residing at 10,000 to 14,000 feet, chasing the white-tailed ptarmigan in California is not for the faint of heart. —

Matt Hardinge, Outdoor Life, 30 Oct. 2020 Some birds, like the willow ptarmigan in Alaska, may have adapted to survive cold winters by having big guts instead of big brains. —

Geoffrey Giller, Discover Magazine, 11 Aug. 2020 However, the contaminants might impact the habitats of terrestrial birds like lapland longspurs, rosy finches and ptarmigan. —

Morgan Krakow, Anchorage Daily News, 28 Nov. 2021 The ptarmigan and rabbits whose furs turn white in October rest exposed against bare, snowless tundra. —

Richard Adams Carey, WSJ, 1 Oct. 2021 The herders watch the birds, the snow buntings and ptarmigans, the ravens and bluethroats. —

Juliana Hanle, Scientific American, 18 Nov. 2019 On the menu are willow, rock and white-tailed ptarmigan, spruce, ruffed and sharptail grouse and, if one resides in Southeast Alaska, the Sooty grouse (also known as Blue grouse or hooters). —

Steve Meyer, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Aug. 2019 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ptarmigan.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.