The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge. We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns.
We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.
I have been enamored by Rough Legged hawks for the last two years. They are a gorgeous bird, even for a raptor. It has been a genuine blessing to have them here in the Flint Hills of Kansas in relatively high numbers fall through winter. As winter wanes they leave, migrating back to the Arctic for breeding/nesting season.
The artistry of design and colors presented by the feathers of a Rough Legged hawk was the first thing that attracted me, the tail in particular. The Rough Legged hawk’s ‘look’ is pure Pow Wow. In poor light, and at a distance, it isn’t difficult to be deceived (by the white topped tail with dark bottom band) into believing you have spotted a Golden Eagle. That may be especially true if you are me and desperately want to experience a Golden Eagle sighting and photo session up close and personal.
The following pic was my first Rough Legged hawk sighting early this past fall. It was quite distant when I happened to notice this bird soaring over a stretch of prairie rangeland along the Wagon Trail.
A VERY zoomed rendition of what I saw, and for a few brief moments thought I had finally stumbled onto a Golden Eagle. When it came closer and I saw it’s underpinnings I knew I was seeing my first Rough Legged of the new season.
It didn’t take me long to get over being disappointed at not seeing a Golden Eagle. During the previous year I had acquired a great respect for the beauty of Rough Legged hawks, along with a strong desire to improve on my photo collection of their tribe members. Besides, how could anyone be disappointed to see an arrival all the way from the arctic?
Here is a range map for Rough Legged Hawks.
Notice that the Flint Hills of Kansas is at the southeastern corner of the Rough Legged range during non-breeding season, other than a small area to the east along the Mississippi River. According to this map, if you live on either coast you might be SOL for seeing Rough Legged hawks! The map also indicates I am very fortunate to be enjoying their company in the numbers I do. That makes me appreciate the photos I get of them even more.
My place is about dead center of that dark green area which is the Flint Hills of Kansas.
It has become my opinion that Rough Legged hawks are very similar in behavior to Red Tail hawks. They share the same flying style and also seem inclined to share hunting grounds. Harriers intrude in those areas too, but it is not common to see them hunting during the same time frame. If they do there may be confrontation. Harriers can be very aggressive, despite their smaller size. I have offered two diaries documenting just such a confrontation between Harrier and Red Tail, but have never seen a Rough Legged involved in confrontation with another species. In fact, I find the Rough Legged to be a more compatible raptor to human presence than all other raptors, with the possible exception being the Swainsons. Both those have gifted me with numerous up close and personal meetings.
All these pics are from the current season. The birds I have seen this year are far more colorful than were those I saw the previous year.
Rough Legged hawk soar like Red Tail hawks, but Rough Legged do a lot more hovering in their hunting technique. However, their strike mode is more similar to a Harrier than to the Red Tail. Red Tails dive from a height and strike with resounding, audible force. Rough Legged capture their prey with more of a pounce from closer range, like a Harrier. But the Roughie strikes but from greater height than Harriers. Harriers usually cruise and pounce from just above grass top level. Both disappear in the grass to eat their prey right at the kill site, while Red Tail hawks nearly always find an elevated perch, such as a tree, before feasting.
Rough Legged hovering at a height of about 25 feet in preparation to making a kill.
Sometimes they come to hover close overhead because they are curious about me!
Sometimes they are more irritated than curious. This fellow was letting me know about it while creating cover for it’s partner who was on the ground feasting on a kill in the tall grass. The belly band on a female is usually limited to the lower portion of it’s body.
Here is a vid recording of Rough Legged calling sound. I don’t know where this vid was shot but it looks a lot like Kansas!
Rough Legged male vocalizing while soaring.
There have been occasions when these hawks were obviously interested in checking me out, a process that begins at long range but gets closer as confidence builds. They will employ the hover at any height.
A lot of zoom of a particularly handsome hover at quite a height. I call this pose “full fan”. I don’t know how it could get fuller fan this this one.
This is a somewhat common pose to see when the bird is intent on picking up speed. When really accelerating the tail is not fanned.
Second stage of acceleration.
Third stage of acceleration.
Speed accomplished, it is now intent on gaining altitude.
After altitude is achieved the hawk resumes it’s most desired comfort zone point of view, soaring.
I’ve enjoyed the great pleasure of getting hundreds of photos of these hawks this year, many of which I have yet to open and process. I may never get around to that ‘chore’ as I enjoy these so much. Hope you find something to enjoy about them too. Here is our nightcap...
Rough Legged Nightcap. Have one on me...but please don’t throw it! :)
Now it’s time for the real capper for any Bucket diary, the comment section. Chime in with whatever you have to offer, and let’s make this another great day!
