Rough-legged Buzzard

Photos: Rough-legged Buzzard, Sydhavnstippen, Copenhagen, 31 January 2009

Denmark is a good place to catch up with the Fenno-Scandian cousin of our Common Buzzard - the Rough-legged Buzzard (RLB). Superficially very similar to Common Buzzard but, with detailed observation and knowledge about the key characteristics of RLB, they are actually pretty easy to pick out, even with fairly distant views.

Apologies for the quality of the photos (taken in poor light at long range etc etc) but, even though they aren't high quality, they still show the salient features. The best feature is the tail-pattern, with RLB sporting a white inner tail and a broad dark tail-band. This is best viewed from above (ie when the bird is banking). Other good plumage features include a lightish-coloured head, a dark belly and a prominent round, dark carpal patch on the underwing. With experience, structure and jizz become good indicators of this species -it is longer winged than Common Buzzard (to me, sometimes recalling a Kite species) and, when soaring, the wings are typically held at a dihedral (like aircraft wings - look it up!). RLB also actively hovers frequently when hunting for prey (not to be confused with Common Buzzard that can sometimes "hang" in the air facing a fresh or strong wind).

There are several of these migrant birds of prey wintering in Denmark this winter, with probably a dozen or more in the Copenhagen area alone. March or April will see them returning north to breed - the population is estimated to be between 80,000 and 100,000 in Europe/Russia. Meanwhile I will continue to enjoy getting to know these fantastic birds of prey.