ptarmigan; Japanese ptarmigan; grouse
Refers to the bird species Lagopus muta, especially the Japanese subspecies Lagopus muta japonica. In everyday Japanese, it typically means the Japanese ptarmigan, a protected bird found in alpine regions.
The Japanese ptarmigan is a special natural monument of Japan.
In summer, the ptarmigan has brown feathers.
greater prairie chicken
hazel grouse
Katakana spelling is standard for this bird name; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling is uncommon; the word is usually written in kana.
Hiragana spelling is also used, especially in informal contexts.
The kanji 雷 (thunder) and 鳥 (bird) are used, but the exact origin of the name is uncertain. It may refer to the bird's habitat in high mountains where thunderstorms occur, or to its drumming sound.