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

This is one of three Rough-legged Hawks that were discovered on a Maricopa Audubon Society field trip led by Charles Babbitt at the Mormon Lake Overlook on 16 March 2013. This one was photographed by Tommy DeBardeleben on 30 March 2013.

Rough-legged Hawks are rare but fairly regular in Arizona, especially in the Northern part of the state.

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)

30 March 2013, photo by Tommy DeBardeleben