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. In winter, all ptarmigans of both sexes are basically white. Whereas White-tailed Ptarmigans have permanently white tail feathers, the tails of Willow and Rock ptarmigans remain black throughout the year. In ptarmigans, the moult commences with the head and progresses towards the tail. As soon as the spring snowmelt begins, females moult into a barred breeding plumage of brown, gold, and black.