Rough-legged Hawk
This bird has successfully overwintered in the area of the Prince George airport in central BC. Note the feathering on the leg which extends all the way to the claws. It's scientific name of _Buteo lagopus_ translates into Rabbit-footed Hawk in English which is quite appropriate. Primary prey is small mammals. Aging and sexing this species is not easy but a couple of points suggest this is an adult or sub-adult female: 1) the iris colour of the eye darkens from pale brown to dark brown with age; and 2) females winter farther north than males. Since the irides on this bird are fairly dark and it is certainly wintering far north, the evidence points to it being an adult or sub-adult female. This species is "polymorphic" which means that the plumage varies widely from quite light to very dark. This bird is on the dark side of the spectrum. Taken Feb 23, 2008 near the NE corner of the Prince George airport.
Rough-legged Hawk
This bird has successfully overwintered in the area of the Prince George airport in central BC. Note the feathering on the leg which extends all the way to the claws. It's scientific name of _Buteo lagopus_ translates into Rabbit-footed Hawk in English which is quite appropriate. Primary prey is small mammals. Aging and sexing this species is not easy but a couple of points suggest this is an adult or sub-adult female: 1) the iris colour of the eye darkens from pale brown to dark brown with age; and 2) females winter farther north than males. Since the irides on this bird are fairly dark and it is certainly wintering far north, the evidence points to it being an adult or sub-adult female. This species is "polymorphic" which means that the plumage varies widely from quite light to very dark. This bird is on the dark side of the spectrum. Taken Feb 23, 2008 near the NE corner of the Prince George airport.