Raptors of the NCA - rough-legged hawk

By Kateri Bilay

During the winter months, many of the raptors that nest in the NCA during the spring and summer migrate south to warmer climates. However, there are some hawks that migrate into the NCA during winter months, including rough-legged hawks.

WHERE DO rough-tailed hawks live?

Rough-legged hawks can be found north of the equator throughout the United States, Canada, and in much of Europe. They breed in the far northern tundra and move south during the winter months to find prey. They are aptly named as they have feathers all the way down their legs to help keep them warm.

Walter Siegmund, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

rough-tailed hawk sightings in the Nca

Rough-legged hawks (Buteo lagopus) are one of five hawks in the genus Buteo that can be found in the NCA. Also known as ‘roughies’, they are adapted for colder climates, and they are therefore generally absent from the NCA during the heat of the summer months. As temperatures cool, these hawks will return from northern latitudes and can be spotted in the NCA as early as October.

In 2025, the first sighting of a roughie in the NCA was November 11th in a more northern part of the NCA, and the second was November 19th when I, along with BOPP Director Steve Alsup, were visiting one of our habitat improvement sites. These hawks can be seen hovering in static flight while hunting, or perching in trees, or on power poles and center pivots. Our roughie was sitting on a pivot line right next to the road.

Dominic Sherony, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

WhEN DO rough-tailed hawks migrate?

How long they stick around before returning north to breed depends on weather conditions and prey availability, but historically, rough-leggeds have been seen in the NCA as late as April. During the winter months the majority of their diet consists of small mammals, but a recent study discovered they will also predate small birds and scavenge deer carrion while on their wintering grounds. According to this study by Neil Paprocki et al., deer carrion makes up approximately 8% of their diet during the colder months.

If motivation to venture out into the NCA during the colder winter months is low, let the prospect of seeing these visitors from the far north encourage you to brave the cold to get out and explore the NCA!

Jacob W. Frank, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Plan a visit to the NCA while the rough-legged hawk are in town!

We often share visitor sightings in the NCA on our social media - if you’d like yours to feature then send us a message on Facebook or Instagram.