ptarmigan

 
Pronunciation: /ˈtɑːmɪg(ə)n/

noun

  • a northern grouse of mountainous and Arctic regions, with feathered legs and feet and plumage that typically changes to white in winter.
    • Genus Lagopus, family Tetraonidae: two species, in particular the (rock) ptarmigan (L. mutus) of Eurasia and North America

Origin:

late 16th century: from Scottish Gaelic tàrmachan. The spelling with p- was introduced later, suggested by Greek words starting with pt-