Rough-legged buzzard: Difference between revisions

Nests are typically located on cliffs, bluffs or in trees. [[avian clutch size|Clutch size]]s are variable with food availability, but three to five eggs are usually laid.<ref name=virtualwildlife/> These hawks hunt over open land, feeding primarily on small [[mammals]].<ref name=BNA/> Along with the [[kestrels]], [[Kite (bird)|kites]], and [[osprey]], this is one of the few birds of prey to hover regularly.<ref name=BOPT/>

 

==Description==

This fairly large raptorial species is {{convert|46|-|68|cm|in|abbr=on}} with wingspan ranging from {{convert|120|to|153|cm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref name=BNA/><ref name=Porter1990/> Individuals can weigh from {{convert|600|to|1660|g|lb|abbr=on}} with females typically being larger and heavier than males.<ref name=CRC/><ref name=HBW/> Weights appear to increase from summer to winter in adults, going from an average of {{convert|822|to|1027|g|lb|abbr=on}} in males and from {{convert|1080|to|1278|g|lb|abbr=on}} in females.<ref name=Brown1968/><ref name=Snyder1976/> Among the members of the genus ''Buteo'', it is sixth heaviest, the fifth longest, and the fourth longest winged.<ref name=RaptorsWorld/> Among standard measurements in adults, the [[Wing chord (biology)|wing chord]] is {{convert|37.2|-|48.3|cm|in|abbr=on}}, the tail is {{convert|18.6|-|25.5|cm|in|abbr=on}}, [[Culmen (bird)|culmen]] is {{convert|3.2|-|4.5|cm|in|abbr=on}} and the [[Tarsus (skeleton)|tarsus]] is {{convert|5.8|-|7.8|cm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref name=RaptorsWorld/><ref name=Cade1955/><ref name=Friedmann1950/> The plumage is predominantly brown in colour and often shows a high degree of speckling.<ref name=BNA/> A broad brown chest-band is present in most plumages and a square dark carpal patch contrasting with the white under-wing is an easily identifiable characteristic in light morph individuals.<ref name=BNA/> A wide variety of plumage patterns are exhibited in light vs. dark morphs, males vs. females and adults vs. juveniles. Extensive field experience is required to distinguish between certain plumage variations.<ref name=Brown1968/> Compared to its more common [[Nearctic realm|Nearctic]] and [[Palearctic realm|Palearctic]] cousins, the [[common buzzard]] (''Buteo buteo'') and the [[red-tailed hawk]] (''Buteo jamaicensis''), it is slightly larger, though may be outweighed by the latter.