Willow and Rock Ptarmigan birds. Vintage bird print. XIX beautiful illustration of european birds collection.

Lagopus albus, more commonly known as the Willow Ptarmigan, is a medium-sized bird in the grouse family. This species is well known for its remarkable seasonal camouflage. In winter, its plumage turns completely white, blending seamlessly with the snowy landscape. Come summer, it molts into a mottled brown, providing camouflage amongst rocks and vegetation. This adaptation helps them evade predators like foxes, owls, and eagles.

Willow Ptarmigan are found in the Arctic and Subarctic regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. They inhabit a variety of tundra habitats, including willow thickets, birch forests, and open moorlands. These hardy birds feed mainly on buds, leaves, and berries in the summer, switching to a diet of willow and birch buds and twigs during the winter. They are social birds, often forming flocks outside of the breeding season. The Willow Ptarmigan is currently classified as a species of "Least Concern" by the IUCN, with its populations considered stable.

The Lagopus mutus, commonly known as the Rock Ptarmigan, is a medium-sized game bird that thrives in cold, rocky environments. Like its close relative the Willow Ptarmigan, it undergoes a dramatic seasonal change in plumage. In winter, it becomes almost entirely white, blending perfectly with the snow-covered terrain. During summer, it molts into a speckled grayish-brown plumage, providing camouflage against the rocks and vegetation.

Rock Ptarmigan are found in the Arctic and Subarctic regions, as well as in high-altitude mountain ranges across the Northern Hemisphere. They inhabit rocky slopes, alpine meadows, and tundra areas. Their diet consists mainly of buds, leaves, berries, and seeds. They are social birds, often forming flocks outside of the breeding season. The Rock Ptarmigan is currently classified as a species of "Least Concern" by the IUCN.