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

This adult female light morph Rough-legged Hawk was first reported by Tom Linda on 28 December 2007 near Mormon Lake which is about 30 miles SE of Flagstaff.   There was another report of two birds in the area.  Gary Botello photographed it on 18 February 2008 and Pierre Deviche photographed it on 1 March 2008.    Rough-legged Hawks are rare but fairly regular in Arizona, especially in the Northern part of the state.  Some years they are more numerous than others.

Rough-legged Hawk is an ABC sketch details species. The ABC and North American Birds editors request that minimal (sketch) details of sightings of these species be turned in for the sighting to be included in the NAB seasonal report, and for that sighting to be considered "official" with regard to the records keeping for the state. Sketch details should include a photo or brief description of the bird and circumstances surrounding the sighting.  Sketch details can be sent to the NAB regional editors: Gary Rosenberg (ghrosenberg AT comcast.net) or Mark Stevenson (drbrdr AT att.net)

Rough-legged Hawk is probably the most variable of the North American Buteos.  It comes in light and dark morphs, adult males and females have different plumages and immatures differ from adults. In all plumages, the tiny bill and feathered legs are diagnostic. 

1 March 2008 photo by Pierre Deviche

 

 

18 February 2008 photos by Gary Botello