Nature Photographers Ltd

Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus Wingspan 125-140cm. Similar to Buzzard but most individuals are separable using plumage details and behaviour. In flight and from above, the pale base to the tail gives the Rough-legged Buzzard a white-rumped appearance. Hovers more frequently than Buzzards. Adult male has brown upperparts, except for white tail with a dark terminal band and smaller second bar. From below, underparts are pale except for dark head, carpal patches, wing tips and trailing edge to wing; pale tail is tipped with two dark bands. Adult female is similar but has a dark belly and single dark terminal band on tail. Juvenile is similar to adult female but dark markings are indistinct. Voice - mainly silent. Status and habitat – A winter visitor to Britain, mainly to East coast, and usually between October and March. Favours coastal marshes and grassland.