Ptarmigan stand out from the other winged creatures in Greenland. Their plumage tracks the changing seasons, from white to mottled, and when startled they make frog-like croaking noises. One of the few year-round resident birds, they have feather covered legs to help stay warm during the winter, a trait that earned them their scientific genus name, Lagopus; ancient Greek for “Hare” (hairy like a hare?) + “Leg”. If I had to live up there all year I’d want a bit more fluff on my extremities as well…
A prime example of nature’s camouflage at work in the first picture, can you spot both birds?
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