Rough-legged Hawk

A long-winged, long-tailed buteo distinguished by its feathered legs, contrasting dark wrist patches, and variable plumage. From below, most light-morph birds show a pale underwing with bold black carpal crescents and a dark belly band; the white tail is capped by a broad dark terminal band. Dark morphs appear mostly chocolate-brown with lighter flight feathers. In graceful buoyant flight it often pauses to hover while hunting, giving it a distinctive silhouette among hawks.

“kee-eer kee-eer kee-eer”

Breeds on open Arctic and sub-Arctic tundra, nesting on cliffs, slopes, or hummocks. In the non-breeding season inhabits open country—prairies, marshes, agricultural fields, coastal dunes, and shrub-steppe—wherever small mammals are abundant.

North of the Arctic Circle from May–August for breeding; passage migrants move south September–October. Most wintering birds present November–March; by April the majority have departed north.