BIRDING TO THE EDG

Yesterday started off cold here on the Front Range, but warmed up and skies really opened for some good photography. Rough-legged Hawks are a member of the Buteo-genus that breeds in the far north (Canada). When living in the Midwest and essentially anywhere in the middle US with open prairies/fields you can expect Rough-legged Hawks in the winter. Look at the photo above, notice the long tail with a thick subterminal band. These two points will be present in all Rough-legged Hawks (RLHA). Not only are the wing tips pushed forward, but the shoulders are hunched up around the patagial area. This is not typical of other Buteo-genus hawks like Red-tailed Hawk, whom has a dip in the shoulders. The wings are long and rectangle-shaped and there are always two dark patches on the carpal area otherwise looking like the, "fists," of the creature. Typically solitary or in pairs it would be odd to see them in groups in the winter time. Migration can be different in this way!



The flight and posture of a RLHA should really stand out against other hawks. Of course, everything takes practice. Raptor ID is the same way! I find myself still checking Brian Wheeler's website for advice along with his wonderfully written and photographed, "Raptors of Western North America." What a great reference guide!

Okay now, so let's analyze this beauty. We know this is a RLHA from the long, rectangle wings and hunched up shoulders. Not to mention the large black carpal patches and thick, dark subterminal band on the tail.

Sex can always be difficult to determine in this species, but females tend to have a more tawny-brown appearance underneath. The remiges and flight feathers looks pretty white contrasting to the breast and axillary area. Given this I am going to call this bird a female. However, sometimes you just have to swallow the thought of you not being able to sex the bird. The iris is dark and the tail exhibits a clear multi-patterned tail with a crisp black subterminal band. Juveniles and females would have a much browner shade to the black in the tail. The black on the remiges looks even like it should in adults. Given all this and we can still see an eyeline which all adult males will have and will be faded in juvenile and females.

I would call this a moderately-marked adult female Rough-legged Hawk...with some room for error!

Good luck to all of you out there in the field and I hope I helped a little in your winter Buteo identification. Get out onto your local CBC's to search for this lovely bird! Good Birding!