Rough-legged Hawks

When we talk about spring and fall migration, most folks think of the neotropical songbirds that leave Wisconsin in the fall in search of food and warmth, and return in the spring to nest and raise their young. However, there are a number of bird species that come from much further north and consider Wisconsin to be their ideal balmy environment for the winter—like Dark-eyed Juncos, American Tree Sparrows, Snowy Owls, and the species of today’s conversation: Rough-legged Hawks.

Photo by Tom Koerner/USFWS

Rough-legged Hawks spend their summers in the Arctic, nesting along cliffsides and eating small mammals (lemmings and voles) they find in the wide open tundra. When they migrate to southern Canada and the northern United States, they can be found in similar landscapes—grasslands, farm fields, and other open areas where they can find food.

In 2022, Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance began working with Neil Paprocki at the University of Idaho, who was conducting his PhD research on Rough-legged Hawk movements, diet, and more. Since then, SoWBA has paid for two GPS transmitters which Neil attached to two Rough-legged Hawks, one named Dorothy and the other named Jeffrey (click on those names to learn more about them). You can also find an update on the Rough-legged Hawk Project in our feature from December 2023.

Neil holds a Rough-legged Hawk just tagged with a small GPS transmitter (photo courtesy of Neil Paprocki).

Where does this research stand now? We’re happy to share that on January 8, SoWBA partnered with the Ozaukee-Washington Bird Coalition to host and record a Zoom presentation by Neil Paprocki entitled “Year-round movements of Rough-legged Hawks wintering in Wisconsin.” It is a fascinating talk about how these birds migrate hundreds of miles from the Hudson Bay to Wisconsin and back again, where they go in Wisconsin during the winter, what they eat, and much more.

Thank you to Neil for his ongoing research, and to the OZBC for co-hosting this great presentation, the recording of which you will find below. Enjoy!

Written by Brenna Marsicek, director of outreach

Presentation recording

To make the video larger, click the box image in the lower right corner of the YouTube video.

Links mentioned in the presentation:

Follow neil’s research:

Facebook: @theroughleggedhawkproject
Instagram: @neilpaprocki
Email: neilpaprocki@gmail.com

Donate to support this research:

Donation checks to "The University of Idaho Foundation" with RLHA project in memo

Mail to:
Dr. Courtney Conway
875 Perimeter Dr., MS 1141
College of Natural Resources
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID 83844-1141