Light Morph Male Rough-legged Hawk Winter Site Fidelity

Adult male Rough-legged Hawk in front of dark clouds – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

I have been photographing a light morph male Rough-legged Hawk on or near a One Way sign at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge frequently this winter. Yesterday when I spotted him he was perched on the sign, relaxed, and he had dark clouds way off in the distance behind him. The male Rough-legged Hawk appeared to glow in morning light against the darker background.

Since 2016 there has been a light morph adult male Rough-legged Hawk or hawks on the sign or in close proximity to that sign during winter. Prior to 2016 I photographed a darker light morph Rough-legged Hawk in this same area.

Light morph Rough-legged Hawk adult male in 2016 – Nikon D810, f9, 1/500, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

Without a band I can’t be sure that the Rough-legged Hawk I’ve been photographing in this spot since 2016 is the same bird but I have strong feelings that it is. The Rough-legged Hawk or hawks may have a strong sense of territorial site fidelity for this location for overwintering in northern Utah.

Feather patterns can look different due to age, molt, health, stress, whether the feathers are fluffed up, wet, frosty, and other reasons.

Adult male Rough-legged Hawk in a winter whiteout in 2019 – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/400, ISO 1000, +2.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

Each time I have photographed an adult male, light morph Rough-legged Hawk in this area I have tried to get sharp images of the bird to see if I can find something that would indicate that it is the same bird. I even accomplished that in a winter whiteout where the visibility was poor due to blowing snow, low light and fog.

Light morph Rough-legged Hawk male in February of 2020 – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/800, ISO 250, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

There have been times when I saw the male hawk but wasn’t able to get photos of it at all due to circumstances beyond my control. Just seeing the hawk made me feel as if I was saying hello to a friend.

Birds can and do have nesting site fidelity which basically means that they return to the same general area to nest year after year. They can also have territorial site fidelity or philopatry and return to the same overwintering site.

Frosty adult male Rough-legged Hawk in January of 2022 – Nikon D500, f9, 1/400, ISO 320, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

Have I been photographing the same adult male, light morph Rough-legged Hawk for several years at the refuge? Maybe I have.

Male light morph Rough-legged Hawk in January 2022 – Nikon D500, f8, 1/500, ISO 250, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

This winter I have photographed this male Rough-legged Hawk several times in the same general area of that One Way sign. The hawk is almost always calm or looking around for prey. This hawk has been the most cooperative hawk I have found in Utah. I have seen loud pickup trucks rattle past the hawk and the hawk didn’t ruffle a feather.

Rough-legged Hawk adult male with dark clouds in the background – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

Yesterday I loved the darker background behind the Rough-legged Hawk. As I photographed him I once again wondered if this is the same hawk that I have been seeing and photographing for years. It sure feels that way to me.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to view more of my Rough-legged Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.