Rough-Legged Hawk at the Calgary Zoo

This hawk gets its name—Rough-legged—from its feathers that run all the way down its legs right to its talons. This helped to keep these birds warm in frigid temperatures, common in Canada during the wintertime. They breed in the arctic tundra and then fly a little further south to open fields and grasslands where they can best find sustenance. Known for their ability to hover and spot prey with keen eyes before they quickly swoop down to snatch up their next meal.