The land birds that live in the Far North, especially those that overwinter there, have adapted by dressing or "feathering" for cold conditions. Although most birds have bare legs and feet, arctic hawks, owls, and ptarmigans have feathers on their legs to keep them warm in cold weather. While, unlike owls and ptarmigans, hawks do not winter in the Arctic, even Arctic summers are often cold enough to justify the extra feathers on their legs!

Ptarmigans and snowy owls also have feathers on their feet to protect their toes, and ptarmigans actually grow more feathers in the fall, to give them extra insulation during the coldest periods.