Rough-legged Buzzard
Buteo lagopus
The Rough-legged Buzzard is a rare winter visitor to Britain, typically seen in the eastern and northern parts of the country from October to March, with occasional sightings in other areas. It is a medium-large bird of prey that breeds in arctic and subarctic regions of Europe, Asia, and North America.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Rough-legged Buzzard in the field.
The Rough-legged Buzzard can be identified by its broad wings, pale underside with dark carpal patches, and a distinctive blackish-brown terminal band on its tail. Its pale head and white forehead also distinguish it from other buzzard species.
The Rough-legged Buzzard is larger than a Common Buzzard, with a more slender build, and is roughly the same size as a Red Kite.
The male Rough-legged Buzzard has a pale blue-grey back and wings, with a white underside and dark carpal patches, while its head and forehead are pale with a dark mask around the eyes.
The female Rough-legged Buzzard is similar to the male, but with a slightly browner tone to her back and wings, and a more mottled appearance on her underside.
The Rough-legged Buzzard's call is a sharp, piercing "pee-yah" or "pee-pee-pee-yah", often repeated in a series of high-pitched notes.
The Rough-legged Buzzard is a skilled hunter that feeds on small mammals, birds, and insects, often perching on poles or wires to scan for prey, and is known for its slow, deliberate wingbeats when in flight.
The Rough-legged Buzzard can be confused with the Common Buzzard, but can be distinguished by its broader wings, pale head, and dark carpal patches, as well as its more slender build and distinctive tail band.
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