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”

Long-distance migrant. Breeds across the circumpolar Arctic and winters across southern Canada and most of the northern United States, with small numbers reaching the central U.S. and northern Mexico.

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.