Lagopus mutus; Print; The rock ptarmigan is a medium-sized gamebird in the grouse family. It is known simply as the ptarmigan in the UK and in Canada; where it is the official bird for the territory of Nunavut; Canada; and the official game bird for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador; Canada. In Japan; it is known as the raicho (??); which means "thunder bird". It is the official bird of Gifu; Nagano; and Toyama Prefectures and is a protected species nationwide.; 1700-1880