Ptarmigans are common birds. They are a major food source for predators like the gyrfalcon and, the winter visitor, the snowy owl. Sometimes people will also hunt them.
The photo shows a male in late spring. During winter they are all white except for a black tail end and black eye line. During the summer they have reddish-grey top parts. They are also ground birds, which can be found in bushes and scrubs.
Ptarmigans feed on berries, buds, germinating seeds and insects when available.