rough legged hawk

1. Bird Name: Rough-legged Hawk
Scientific Name: Buteo lagopus

2. Appearance: The Rough-legged Hawk is usually identified by its feathered legs and an eye-catching patch of white at the base of the tail. The bird’s plumage varies from light to dark, with brown patterns on white background. Its head is often paler than the body, which, in conjunction with the yellow eyes, gives the bird a piercing gaze. Beak shape is hooked, typical of raptors, which assists in tearing apart prey. The genders have minor differences, the primary one being that females usually exhibit a darker hood than males.

3. Size: The Rough-legged Hawk is a substantial bird, averaging about 45 to 60 cm in length (18 to 24 inches). Wingspan can vary between 130 to 160 cm (51 to 63 inches). The bird weighs in a range of 700 to 1600 grams.

4. Habitat & Distribution: Rough-legged Hawks favor open landscapes such as tundra, marshes, coasts, and farmland. They widely occupy territories across the arctic regions of North America, Europe, and Asia throughout the year, migrating to southern Canada and the northern United States during winter.

5. Interesting Facts:
The Rough-legged Hawk is one of the only raptors that is fully feathered up to the toes, a feature vital for surviving in arctic habitats. This bird shows a notable variation in plumage between individual birds, with dark and light morphs and various intermediates.
During courtship, these raptors exhibit fascinating ‘sky-dancing’ displays.

6. Diet: Unlike many hawks that feed on small to medium-sized mammals and birds, the Rough-legged Hawk has a diet majorly consisting of small rodents like lemmings and voles. The bird has also been observed to eat carrion, particularly in leaner winter months.

7. Behaviour & Sounds: The Rough-legged Hawk has a particularly striking flight pattern, often hovering low over open fields scanning for prey. Their primary call is a high-pitched, repeated “keeeer.” During courtship, the males perform impressive aerial acrobatics, known as sky dancing, to attract a mate.

8. Conservation Status: According to the IUCN Red List, the Rough-legged Hawk is currently ranked as “Least Concern”, suggesting a relatively healthy population count. However, habitat encroachment and climate change are potential threats.

9. Lifespan: Rough-legged Hawks can live up to 19 years in the wild. Their lifespan in captivity might vary, but information on birds held in captivity is comparatively scarce.

10. Additional Notes: The Rough-legged Hawk, locally known in some areas as the ‘bear hawk’ due to its feathered legs, plays a crucial role in controlling the population of small rodents in their habitats.
While Rough-legged Hawks are typically shy and avoid human interaction, during migration and winter months, they may be seen alongside roads and highways, sometimes appearing quite tolerant of human presence.
In many cultures, hawks are seen as symbols of focus and perspective due to their hunting style. The Rough-legged Hawk, with its unique features and behaviors, definitely embodies these qualities.