Rough-Legged Buzzard Diet and Size: Feeding Habits, Predators, and Measurements

Rough-Legged Buzzards have a plumage which is similar to that of the Common Buzzard. However the Rough-Legged Buzzard is notably paler and has longer wings and a black-tipped white tail. They also have heavily feathered legs which is where they get their name.

They can often be seen hovering in the air while hunting with males being slightly smaller than females. Females also tend to have more striking markings compared to males with more bands on their white tails and prominent markings on their bellies.

In this article we’re going to take a closer look at what Rough-Legged Buzzards eat, their breeding habits, their size and weight and much more. 

The Dietary Habits Of The Rough-Legged Buzzard

The Rough-Legged Buzzard adapts its diet depending on its location and the time of year.

What Does A Rough-Legged Buzzard Eat?

In their breeding grounds, Rough-Legged Buzzards mainly feed on voles and lemmings. In seasons when the lemmings have been highly successful in breeding, they can make up to 80% of the summer diet of the Rough-Legged Buzzard.

The Rough-Legged Buzzard will also eat a large number of small bird species and in winter when food sources become more scarce they will eat voles, mice, squirrels, rats, rabbits, shrews and other small mammals. As well as birds, frogs and insects.

What To Feed A Baby Rough-Legged Buzzard? 

Both parents will hunt for voles and lemmings to feed to their chicks as well as many small birds. They feed their young for a total of around 10 to 12 weeks after hatching; this covers a period of around 3 to 5 weeks after the chicks have fledged.

Breeding Habits Of Rough-Legged Buzzards

Males perform aerial courtship displays to attract a mate. These displays include circling, soaring and steep dives. He will also often present the female with pieces of food.

Once paired up both birds will take part in the nest building process. Nests are typically built on rocky outcrops, cliffs or tall trees in areas with a wide view of the open plains.

They use twigs, sticks, moss and other vegetation to construct a large, bulky nest.

Do Rough-Legged Buzzards Mate For Life?

Once Rough-Legged Buzzards pair up, they tend to remain in a monogamous relationship for life. The pair will often return to the same nest year after year.

They add new material to the nest each year in order to make it comfortable for the eggs and chicks.

The Size & Weight Of Rough-Legged Buzzards

Now let’s look at the size and weight of the Rough-Legged Buzzard to help with identifying these medium to large birds of prey.

How Much Does A Rough-Legged Buzzard Weigh?

The weight of the Rough-Legged Buzzard tends to increase from summer to winter. Females tend to be the larger and heavier of the 2, with an average adult male weighing anywhere from 822 to 1,027 grams and an average adult female weighing anywhere from 1,080 to 1,278 grams.

How Big Is A Rough-Legged Buzzard?

The overall length of the Rough-Legged Buzzard is around 50 to 60 cm with a wingspan of between 120 to 150 cm. This is a similar size to the Herring Gull.

Are Rough-Legged Buzzards Under Threat?

Although Rough-Legged Buzzards are not currently considered to be under threat on a global scale, they do face certain problems that could impact their population size.

They are classified on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red list as a bird of least concern. Which means they are considered to have a relatively stable population worldwide and are not currently at any significant risk of extinction.

However, like many bird species, the Rough-Legged Buzzard faces the threat of habitat loss due to human development and climate change. Pesticides and contaminants can also impact the health and longevity of the Rough-Legged Buzzard.

They are also hunted in some areas while their prey can be affected by all of the above as well making food sources scarce which adds to the threat of declining populations of Rough-Legged Buzzards.

What Eats A Rough-Legged Buzzard?

Although the Rough-Legged Buzzard is the top predator within their ecosystem, they do face predation. This is particularly true during the egg laying and chick rearing stages of their development.

Rough-Legged Buzzards face predation from Gyrfalcons, Peregrine Falcons and Great Horned Owls. These birds of prey are adept at stealing eggs and chicks from the nests of Rough-Legged Buzzards.

Eggs and chicks are also often taken by Arctic foxes, ermines and wolverines. Adult Rough-Legged Buzzards are really only under threat by the occasional Golden Eagle.

Humans are also responsible for killing a fair amount of Rough-Legged Buzzards through hunting or accidental shootings. 

To help combat the loss of eggs and chicks the Rough-Legged Buzzards nest is often well camouflaged and located in remote and hard to access areas. They will also defend their nests aggressively against any would-be predators.

Where Can I See Rough-Legged Buzzards In The UK?

Rough-Legged Buzzards can sometimes be seen in the UK during winter months when they migrate from their Arctic breeding grounds. Typical sightings often occur in the following locations;

Scotland

• Aberdeenshire (particularly coastal regions)
• The Highlands (typically in remote areas)

England

• Yorkshire (particularly the North York Moors and Eastern Yorkshire)
• Lincolnshire (in coastal areas like the Wash)
• Norfolk (coastal regions and the Norfolk Broads)
• Suffolk (coastal heathlands around Dunwich and Minsmere)
• Kent (coastal marshlands around the Thames Estuary and the Isle of Sheppey)

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