The Rough-legged Hawk is a bird of the Arctic that comes to Michigan only in the cold months, replacing the summer's open-country hawks with a large, long-winged buteo built for the tundra. Variable in plumage but typically pale-headed with a dark belly, dark patches at the bend of the wing (the "wrists"), and a white tail base ending in a dark band, it is named for the feathering that runs all the way down its legs to the toes — insulation against the far-northern cold, shared with only a couple of other North American raptors.
In winter Rough-legged Hawks hunt over open fields, marshes, airports, and farmland, and they have a distinctive habit of hovering in place on beating wings while scanning for voles below, then dropping on their prey. They perch on slender outer branches and posts that would barely hold a bulkier hawk. In some winters, tied to the boom-and-bust cycles of Arctic rodents, they are widespread across Michigan's open country; in others they are scarce.
Feeds mainly on small mammals, especially voles and lemmings on the breeding grounds and voles and mice in its Michigan wintering range. It hunts by hovering over open ground and by watching from perches, then dropping onto rodents; its winter numbers track rodent abundance.
Only in the cold season, roughly late fall through early spring. It breeds in the Arctic and comes south to winter over open fields, marshes, and farmland, then returns north to nest.
Look for a large, long-winged hawk with a white tail base and dark tail band, a dark belly, and dark patches at the bend of the wings from below. Its habit of hovering over open ground while hunting is a strong clue.
Its legs are feathered all the way down to the toes, an adaptation for the cold Arctic where it breeds. Only a few North American raptors share this fully feathered leg.
Juveniles have a solid dark belly band, a broad dusky tail tip, and pale-edged wing coverts; adults show more barring and a sharper tail pattern that differs between the sexes. Michigan's winter birds include plenty of both.
Other birds you might be looking at instead.
Pick the park — it takes less than ten seconds.
Start typing the bird's name, then pick it from the list.
Suggest a birding spot to add to the map. I'll review it before it appears.
Thanks! Your suggestion has been sent for review.
Found something wrong or out of date? Tell me what to fix — it goes straight to my inbox. (No email needed.)
Thank you — your note is on its way. I appreciate the help keeping this accurate.