A large buteo with feathered legs (an Arctic adaptation rare in hawks) often seen hovering on broad wings over open winter fields hunting voles. Light and dark color morphs both common.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The rough-legged buzzard (Europe) or rough-legged hawk is a medium-large bird of prey. It is found in arctic and subarctic regions of North America, Europe, and Asia during the breeding season, and migrates south for the winter. Historically, it was also known as "rough-legged falcon" in such works as John James Audubon's The Birds of America.
Source: Wikipedia — Rough-legged buzzard Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Long-winged buteo, usually with a dark belly band and a dark 'wrist' patch on the underwing; pale tail with a broad dark band at the tip. Dark and light morphs occur. Feathered to the toes.
Similar species. Red-tailed Hawk has a red tail and broader wings; the Rough-legged's hovering, dark wrist patches, and banded tail are key.
Voice. A soft, descending, catlike 'keeer'; mostly silent in winter.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Small mammals, birds, reptiles, insects depending on species.
Behavior. An arctic-breeding buteo that winters across open country to the south; hovers on long wings while hunting voles and is named for its feathered legs (an adaptation to cold).
§ Range
Breeds in Arctic tundra; winters across northern US, plains, and southwest
§ Habitat
Open country: tundra, prairie, agricultural fields, marshes
§ Threats
Climate-driven Arctic ecosystem disruption, secondary rodenticide poisoning, vehicle collisions.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the rough-legged hawk is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Skip rodenticides. Watch from a distance — don't flush perched birds in winter. Support Arctic conservation.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Rough-legged buzzard
- www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Buteo lagopus
- IUCN Red List — search for Buteo lagopus
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Buteo lagopus
§ Sources cited
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology — All About Birds
- National Audubon Society
- iNaturalist
- IUCN Red List
