Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus), Las Cienegas Grasslands, Santa Cruz County

This Rough-legged Hawk was photographed by Julie Battiste on 01 December and by Stuart Healy on 07 December 2018.

Two Rough-legged Hawks are present in this area. The first was found by Brian Nicholas on 27 November 2018 and the second by Tim Burkhardt on 29 November 2018.

Rare but usually annual in SE AZ.

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

01 December 2018, photo by Julie Battiste

 

07 December 2018, photo by Stuart Healy

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