Birds of Ouray County: A hawk built for the cold weather

Rough-legged hawks are built for Ouray County's cold weather, featuring feathers that extend all the way down their legs. This particular Rough-legged Hawk was spotted by the author on a Ouray County road on Oct. 24. Photo courtesy Sue Hirshman

By Sue Hirshman, on November 11, 2021

All good things are wild and free

– Henry David Thoreau

I am always amazed and fascinated when I see the Rough-legged Hawk. This hawk is so different than other hawks.

This beauty was seen on Oct. 24 while birding on a Ouray County road. I believe this bird to be an adult female (light morph) with a light head, white-spotted breast, extensive black belly patch and a white-based tail with a dark tip.

The Rough-legged hawk has feathering extending down the legs to the base of the toes. This is a hel...

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