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Rough-legged Buzzard · Field Guide · Things With Wings

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Rough-legged Buzzard

Buteo lagopus

Not yet photographed by the community

Winter visitor from the north; pale with dark belly patch.

Species Profile

Amber List (scarce winter visitor; population fluctuates with rodent cycles)

Lifespan: 12–15 years in the wild
Size & Weight: 48–61 cm, wingspan 115–140 cm; 600–1,500 g
Habitat: Open moorland, grassland, and tundra-like terrain; in the UK typically found in upland regions and coastal marshes during winter.
UK Distribution: Winter visitor (October to April), arriving from Arctic breeding grounds in Scandinavia and Russia; occasional summer records but does not breed in the UK.
Diet: Carnivorous, hunting small mammals and birds; takes voles, lemmings, mice, and occasionally ptarmigan or other birds.
Prey: Voles, lemmings, mice, shrews, ground squirrels, and small birds such as ptarmigan
Predators: Golden Eagles, White-tailed Eagles, and Peregrine Falcons may prey on juveniles or weaker individuals
Mating Season: April to July (on Arctic breeding grounds)
Breeding: Clutch of 2–4 eggs; incubation period 28–31 days; single brood per year; chicks fledge at 35–50 days (breeding occurs outside the UK)

Sources and editorial status

The short identification summary comes from the Things With Wings species catalogue. The extended species profile is AI-assisted and has not been individually reviewed by a wildlife expert, so verify important identification or conservation details with the specialist sources below.

Profile generated 24 June 2026

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