ptarmigan

ptar·mi·gan  (tärm-gn)

n. pl. ptarmigan or ptar·mi·gans

Any of various grouses of the genus Lagopus, inhabiting arctic, subarctic, and alpine regions of the Northern Hemisphere and having feathered legs and feet and plumage that is brown or gray in summer and white in winter.

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[Alteration (influenced by the spelling pt in Greek words like pteron, wing) of Scottish Gaelic tarmachan.]

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ptarmigan [tar-mig-an]

Noun

a bird of the grouse family that turns white in winter

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

ptarmigan - large Arctic and subarctic grouse with feathered feet and usually white winter plumage grouse - popular game bird having a plump body and feathered legs and feet genus Lagopus, Lagopus - ptarmigans Lagopus scoticus, moor-bird, moorbird, moorfowl, moorgame, red grouse - reddish-brown grouse of upland moors of Great Britain