Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus), Mormon Lake, Coconino County

This Rough-legged Hawk was photographed by Shaun Putz on 15 January 2010 at the Mormon Lake Overlook.

Rough-legged Hawks are rare but fairly regular in Arizona, especially in the Northern part of the state. This is possibly the same bird that has wintered there in the past. 

A highly variable buteo with light and dark morphs. Light morphs have white tail with dark subterminal band, pale head, dark squarish carpal patch, and dark belly.  They also have very small bills and fully feathered legs (not visible in this photo)

15 January 2010, photo by Shaun Putz