Ptarmigan

The ptarmigan is a northern British game bird, found mainly in the north of Scotland where it lives in mountainous areas that can be as high as 1,000 metres.  In size it is slightly larger than the grey partridge, with its summer plumage a mixture of grey, brown and black above with white bellies and wings. In wintertime it becomes totally white except for its tail and eye-patch, which remain black.  It primary breeding grounds in Britain are the high mountains of the Highlands of Scotland with their Arctic-like landscape.  Ptarmigan are resident birds, seldom moving far from breeding sites. In severe cold weather, they often move from the highest ground to the edge of forests where shoots, leaves, leaf buds, berries and insects form their diet.  Its call is a harsh croak and rasping sound with a grating alarm call