When October storms howl through alpine passes and sweep across the North's vast barrens, most of the bird species that breed on the tundra have already migrated south. Among the few hardy birds that remain in the North are three species of ptarmigan, which are members of the grouse family. To people of the North, ptarmigans are a source of food as well as companions through all sorts of weather, fair and foul. The closeness of this relationship shines through in the legends, toys, and art of all arctic peoples.
Ptarmigans spend most of their lives on the ground at or above the tree line.
The Rock Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus and the Willow Ptarmigan Lagopus lagopus are found in all countries ringing the North Pole, whereas the exclusively North American White-tailed Ptarmigan Lagopus leucurus inhabits the Cascade and Rocky mountains of western North America and ranges from Alaska to northern New Mexico. Willow Ptarmigans weigh from 450 to 800 g, White-tailed Ptarmigans weigh about 350 g, and Rock Ptarmigans are intermediate in size. They also have inflatable red combs above their eyes, which are especially evident in territorial and courting males and are inconspicuous to barely visible in females. Ptarmigans have three seasonal plumages per year, instead of the two that are usual for most birds. These plumages keep the birds, particularly the female, well camouflaged at all times.