What does "ptarmigan" mean?

Any of three species of small grouse in the genus Lagopus found in subarctic tundra areas of North America and Eurasia.

How do you pronounce "ptarmigan"?

Pronounced //ˈtɑːmɪɡən//.

Common synonyms include: lagopus lagopus, magpie, rock grouse, snow grouse, willow grouse, willow ptarmigan.

/ˈtɑːmɪɡən/ noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Noun

1
Any of three species of small grouse in the genus Lagopus found in subarctic tundra areas of North America and Eurasia.
2
large Arctic and subarctic grouse with feathered feet and usually white winter plumage wordnet

From Scottish Gaelic tarmachan, of unknown origin. The pt- comes from a mistaken belief in a Greek origin, as if related to ptero- (“wing”).