Loading...
Rough-legged Hawk
Buteo lagopus
The Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus) is a widespread and powerful hawk of North America. It breeds across most of Canada and winters across the northern two-thirds of the United States, but can occasionally be found farther south. It is a hawk of extensive grasslands that preys on small rodents. Unusual among our hawks, the plumages of males and females are somewhat different and the bird can display both dark and light morphs. The light morph bird at right was soaring over grassland near Pritchett, Baca Co., Colorado, in November, 2005.
The Rough-legged Hawk shown here was perched on a pole near Dalhart, Dallam Co., Texas, in January, 2009. This image was taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark III and EF 800mm F/5.6 L IS lens.
The next 3 shots, showing a Rough-legged in Hawk in flight and perched, were taken with the same gear as above, also in January, 2009, but near Dimmitt, Castro Co., Texas.
The Rough-legged Hawk on the right was near Stratford, Sherman Co., Texas, in January, 2011.