Two adult ptarmigans

These plump gamebirds are only found in the Scottish Highlands. Ptarmigans alter their appearance as the seasons change. In winter they grow stiff feathers on their feet which act as snowshoes. Once summer arrives, they moult their snowy-white winter feathers, and turn a rock-grey colour to match their surroundings.
Ptarmigans remain residents of their rocky habitat, never straying despite harsh winds and high altitudes. This is probably because there is little competition for food and space in these areas. Ptarmigans are well adapted. Their guts are large and long, meaning they can cope with a nutritionally poor diet of twigs, shoots, leaves, berries and sometimes insects.