Iowa is rich in greenery, mostly due to corn and bean crops, in the summer time. We have some nice timbers too, but when fall comes, the landscape will change dramatically. Gone are the field crops and what’s left is something akin to a barren tundra. And that’s probably why we see a fair number of Rough-legged hawks during the winters here. Roughies are actually birds from the far north…they nest and are raised on the tundra…so Iowa probably looks like home somewhat. They feed mostly on small mammals, like mice and voles. Finally here’s a couple of distinctive things to watch for…as their name implies…they have “rough-legs” with feathers running all the way down to base of the toes. And when they fly, they are able to hover, even in very light winds, which helps them scan the ground below for their food. For such a large looking bird keeping stationary in almost no wind is quite a feat.