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Rough-legged hawk  Photo by Illinois Raptor Center
Buteo lagopus

AKA: rough-legged buzzard, black hawk, mouse hawk, rough-leg

SIZE: 19 to 24 inches

WINGSPAN: 48 to 56 inches

FLIGHT SPEED:

FEEDING HABITS: Eats mostly mice, lemmings, gophers, caterpillars, and the occasional small bird.

IDENTIFICATION: Has two color phases. Dark phase: dark brown or black above and below with white under wings at the base of the primary flight feathers, tail appears pale with a wide terminal band, black band on the trailing edge of wings. Light phase: Dark wrist patches, wide black band on trailing edge of wings, wide black or dark brown terminal band on tail, belly can be barred or appear solid black or dark brown.