Buteo lagopus, commonly known as the Rough-legged Hawk, is known for its feathered legs, which help it adapt to cold climates. It inhabits open spaces such as tundra and fields, and is a skilled hunter, adept at hovering while searching for prey like rodents. Notable for its seasonal migration, it breeds in Arctic regions and winters in more temperate areas.

The Rough-legged Buzzard (Buteo lagopus) is native to the Arctic and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Its geographical distribution includes northern Europe, Asia, and North America. During the breeding season, it is found in the tundra and taiga zones, particularly in countries such as Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Iceland, Greenland, Canada, and parts of Alaska in the United States.

The Rough-legged Buzzard inhabits open landscapes with a preference for tundra and taiga regions during the breeding season. These areas are characterized by cold climates, with short summers and long, harsh winters. Vegetation typically includes sparse trees, shrubs, and grasses adapted to the cold conditions. During winter, the species migrates to more temperate regions, often seen in open fields, marshes, and coastal areas with similar open, flat landscapes in southern Canada, the northern United States, and parts of Europe and Asia.

The Rough-legged Buzzard is a raptor that primarily feeds on small mammals, particularly lemmings and voles, which are abundant in its breeding habitats. It is adapted to hunting over open areas, often seen hovering in flight while scanning the ground for prey. This ecological niche allows it to exploit the seasonal abundance of small mammals in the tundra and taiga. During migration and in wintering grounds, its diet may expand to include birds and carrion, depending on availability.