Nature Walk: Rough-Legged Hawk

“Rough-legged hawks are in the genus Buteo, with a wingspan that can exceed 4 feet. Their breeding territory is the high Arctic. Like many other birds of prey, they tend to migrate south seasonally in search of prey with a winter range that covers the northern two-thirds of the U.S. Note the dark tail band, the black in the wing (wrists) and on the ends of the primary wing feathers. Juvenile birds tend to be more mottled and there is also a dark phase, which can appear to be nearly all black. When hunting, it can often be seen hovering.” – Carl Kurtz