Rock Ptarmigan

The rock ptarmigan is one of the most familiar birds in Iceland and is widely distributed across the country. It is well adapted to cold conditions and changes its plumage with the seasons, becoming white in winter and brown in summer. The ptarmigan inhabits heaths, moorlands, and highland areas.

Its diet mainly consists of plants, buds, and berries. The rock ptarmigan has long been important in Icelandic culture and has traditionally been hunted for food. It is also the primary prey of the gyrfalcon.

Heathlands, moorlands, and highlands

Buds, leaves, berries, shoots and other plant material.

Moorland, heathland, scrub and uplands; nests on the ground.

A medium-sized grouse that changes plumage seasonally; mottled brown in summer and largely white in winter.

Widely distributed across Iceland from lowlands to highlands.

The rock ptarmigan changes color seasonally, turning white in winter.