ExploreBirds

Rough-legged Hawk

Buteo lagopus

The Rough-legged Hawk is a beautiful bird of prey known for its striking colors and long wings. It loves to soar high in the sky, looking for small animals to eat. You can often see it in open fields and along the edges of forests.

Habitat: Open fields and forests

Appearance

The Rough-legged Hawk has brown and white plumage with a distinctive dark belly patch and dark wrist marks on its pale underwings. Its legs are feathered all the way down to its toes, a unique feature among most hawks. It also has a white tail with a broad dark band near the tip.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderAccipitriformesFamilyAccipitridaeGenusButeo
Rough-legged Hawk
feathered trait badgeaerial trait badgegliding trait badgegrassland trait badge
Rough-legged Hawk

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

In years with many lemmings, Rough-legged Hawks can lay more eggs than usual!

They travel thousands of kilometers from the Arctic to warmer places for the winter!

This hawk is named for its fuzzy "pants" – feathers covering its legs down to its feet!

You can often spot them perched on poles or hovering over open fields in cold weather!

Special abilities

Ability

Hover Hunter

Rough-legged Hawks can hover perfectly still in the air because of their broad wings, helping them spot tiny prey below.

Ability

Arctic Warmth

Rough-legged Hawks have special feathers covering their legs down to their toes that help them stay warm in icy climates.

Ability

Vole Vision

Rough-legged Hawks possess exceptional eyesight that helps them spot small rodents like voles from very high altitudes.

Ability

Silent Pounce

Rough-legged Hawks can glide almost silently because of their soft wing feathers, allowing them to surprise unsuspecting prey.

Measurements & details

Length
48-60 cm
Wingspan
120-152 cm
Weight
0.7-1.6 kg
Lifespan
10-15 years
Top Speed
65 km/h
Clutch Size
1-7
Incubation
28-31 days
Migration Distance
3000 km

Diet & Feeding

These fierce hunters mostly eat small furry animals like voles and lemmings.

Primary Foods

  • Voles
  • Lemmings
  • Mice
  • Shrews
  • Small Birds

Foraging Method

  • Pursuit

Ecological connections

hunts

Norway Lemming

Lemmus lemmus

A primary food source during its Arctic breeding season.

hunts

Meadow Vole

Microtus pennsylvanicus

A key prey item in its wintering grounds and breeding areas.

eaten by

Common Raven

Corvus corax

Known to prey on eggs and chicks in nests.

eaten by

Arctic Fox

Vulpes lagopus

May raid nests for eggs or young chicks.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to touch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Rough-legged Hawk?

48-60 cm

What is Rough-legged Hawk's wingspan?

120-152 cm

How much does Rough-legged Hawk weigh?

0.7-1.6 kg

How long does Rough-legged Hawk live?

10-15 years

How fast can Rough-legged Hawk move?

65 km/h

What does Rough-legged Hawk eat?

These fierce hunters mostly eat small furry animals like voles and lemmings.

Where is Rough-legged Hawk usually found?

Open fields and forests

How does Rough-legged Hawk hunt?

Pursuit

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.

More Birds