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Rock ptarmigan facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus Muta)
Lagopus muta helveticus MHNT.ZOO.2010.11.5.2
Lagopus muta helvetica

The rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) is a medium-sized gamebird in the grouse family. It is known simply as the ptarmigan in the UK and in Canada, where it is the official bird for the territory of Nunavut, Canada, and the official game bird for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It is known as the snow chicken in the United States. In Japan, it is known as the raichō (雷鳥), which means "thunder bird". It is the official bird of Gifu, Nagano, and Toyama Prefectures and is a protected species nationwide.

Images for kids

  • Lagopus muta pyrenaica MHNT GAL 3

    Lagopus muta pyrenaica – MHNT

  • Rock Ptarmigan Lagopus muta distribution in Europe map

    Distribution in Europe

  • Rock Ptarmigan Lagopus muta distribution in North America map

    Distribution in North America

  • Lagopus muta -Iceland-8

    Male rock ptarmigan (L. m. islandorum) in winter plumage in Iceland

  • Lagopus muta japonica Mount Tsubakuro

    Male rock ptarmigan (L. m. japonicum) in summer plumage on Mount Tsubakuro, Japan

  • Ptarmigan (summer plumage) 2

    Female rock ptarmigan (L. m. millaisi) in summer plumage near Torridon, Scotland

  • Ptarmigan (winter plumage) 3

    Rock ptarmigan (L. m. millaisi) pair (♂ left) in winter plumage near Glen Coe, Scotland

  • Lagopède Alpin MHNT

    L. muta eggs

  • Lagopus muta japonica (juvenile)

    Japanese rock ptarmigan chick on Mount Ontake, Japan

  • Raichou 01

    In the northern Japanese Alps.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Lagopus muta para niños

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