The only thing that keeps my Honey comfortable in the cold, chilling winters is having nice warm slippers. Cold feet can be a problem without the proper footwear. The Rough-legged Hawk has no such problem with cold feet, because its feathers run all the way down the legs to the toes. This adaptation to conserve warmth is a necessity, for this bird breeds on the edge of the treeline to the tundra near the Arctic. The Rough-legged Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk, and the Golden Eagle are the only American hawks to have feathered legs. In winter, the Rough-legged Hawk prefers open country such as prairie, open farmland, and desert scrub.

    On the Silver Reef Bird Count last December we saw a Rough-legged Hawk hunting near the freeway above Leeds. Only three ariel hunters hover while hunting their prey, the Kestrel, the Osprey, and the Rough-legged Hawk. The Rough-legged Hawk can be identified at a distance by its habit of hovering and by the way it perches: balancing precariously on the most slender twigs at the top of a tree when searching for its prey of rodents and birds. When you are out and about, look to the skies and see what raptors you find. If you enjoy bird watching, you might want to join in on the Christmas Bird Counts during the month of December. Give me a call if you have questions about the counts at 435 673-0996.

    Brenda Rusnell is the artist this week for the Rough-legged Hawk. Thank you for an ‘up-close’ look at this beautiful bird.