PTARMIGAN Definition & Meaning

ptarmigan

[ tahr-mi-guhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

plural ptarmigans, (especially collectively) ptarmigan.

any of several grouses of the genus Lagopus, of mountainous and cold northern regions, having feathered feet.

ptarmigan

/ ˈ��ɑː��ɪɡə�� /

any of several arctic and subarctic grouse of the genus Lagopus, esp L. mutus, which has a white winter plumage
sometimes capital a created domestic fancy pigeon with ruffled or curled feathers on the wings and back

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1590–1600; pseudo-Greek spelling of Scots Gaelic tarmarchan, akin to Irish tarmanach

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C16: changed (perhaps influenced by Greek pteron wing) from Scottish Gaelic tarmachan, diminutive of tarmach, of obscure origin

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Examples have not been reviewed.

They also know ptarmigan are especially vulnerable to climate change.

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Rainier ptarmigan, the saltmarsh sparrow of the Atlantic coast and numerous birds of Hawaii.

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Scotland is home to Arctic specialists - birds like dotterel, snow bunting and ptarmigan - which are found high on Scotland's mountains.

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Sometimes the groups get lucky and spot a ptarmigan, or a long-tailed weasel in its white winter coat.

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We passed grizzly bear mothers lumbering alongside cubs, flocks of ptarmigans and scurrying porcupines.

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