Rough-legged Buzzard
Buteo lagopus
The Rough-legged Buzzard (Buteo lagopus) is a common kites, old world vultures, eagles, and hawk found in 53 countries, weighing about 950 g. The rough-legged buzzard (Europe) or rough-legged hawk is a medium-large bird of prey.
About the Rough-legged Buzzard
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.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
This fairly large raptorial species is 46–68 cm (18–27 in) with wingspan ranging from 120 to 153 cm (47 to 60 in). Individuals can weigh from 600 to 1,660 g (1.32 to 3.66 lb) with females typically being larger and heavier than males. Weights appear to increase from summer to winter in adults, going from an average of 822 to 1,027 g (1.812 to 2.264 lb) in males and from 1,080 to 1,278 g (2.381 to 2.818 lb) in females. Among the members of the genus Buteo, it is sixth heaviest, the fifth longest, and the fourth longest winged. Among standard measurements in adults, the wing chord is 37.2–48. Voice: Adult rough-legged buzzards will give alarm calls when intruders approach a nesting site. It is described as a downward slurring whistle, sounding like kiu wiyuk or a lengthy descending kee-eer similar to that of the red-tailed hawk. This cry is given in flight or from a perch every 15–30 seconds. During courtship, both sexes have been recorded to give a whistling sound that changes to a hiss.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Spain, Mexico, Luxembourg, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, October, November, December, with peak activity in January. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Rough-legged Buzzard?
- This fairly large raptorial species is 46–68 cm (18–27 in) with wingspan ranging from 120 to 153 cm (47 to 60 in). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Rough-legged Buzzard?
- The Rough-legged Buzzard is a large sized bird weighing about 950 g.
- Where can you see a Rough-legged Buzzard?
- The Rough-legged Buzzard occurs in 53 countries, including the United States, Sweden, Canada, Norway and Finland.
- What birds look similar to a Rough-legged Buzzard?
- The Rough-legged Buzzard is most easily confused with the Broad-winged Hawk, the Swainson's Hawk and the Grey-lined Hawk.
- Is the Rough-legged Buzzard endangered?
- The Rough-legged Buzzard is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Rough-legged Buzzard for real
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