The Willow Ptarmigan is the Alaska State Bird. It's name can be a tongue twister for some. Years ago a fellow asked me where he could find some "Peter-mig-ans". I had no idea what a "Peter-mig-an" was, a fact which I passed along to the fellow. Looking at me suspiciously, he began describing the bird we call, and pronounce, "Tar-ma-gan"! Given the varied pronunciations of this birds common name, it is no wonder this bird is a different color in each of the four seasons!