There are three species of ptarmigan in North America. They are the white-tailed, rock and willow.
Ptarmigan change color twice a year.
In the fall they molt and become white and in the spring become a mottled brown or gray color. The white-tailed ptarmigan is the smallest of the three species and is found on the alpine meadows of the western North American mountains. They spend the entire year above the timberline. In the winter the white-tailed ptarmigan is entirely white except for the bill and eyes. During the summer they are mottled brown with white wings, tail and belly.