Red-tailed Hawk vs Rough-legged Buzzard

In short

The most reliable field mark to separate Red-tailed Hawk from Rough-legged Buzzard (Rough-legged Hawk) in North America is the presence of a bold, dark carpal (wrist) patch on the underwing of Rough-legged, especially in light-morph birds of all ages—a feature never shown by Red-tailed Hawk. Juvenile Red-taileds instead show a more uniform underwing with barring, lacking the isolated black patch. In flight, Rough-legged is longer-winged and more buoyant, while Red-tailed is chunkier with broader, shorter wings. Perched, Rough-legged’s feathered legs (down to the toes) and longer wings extending to or past the tail are distinctive, while Red-tailed has bare yellow legs and a shorter wing projection. Both can show a pale belly with a dark band, but tail pattern is key: adult Red-taileds have a brick-red tail, while Rough-leggeds always show a white tail with one or more dark subterminal bands.

Identification tips

1. Underwing carpal patch (all ages, especially light morphs): Rough-legged Buzzard shows a bold, square black patch at the wrist on the underwing, contrasting with white coverts—never present in Red-tailed Hawk.
2. Tail pattern (all ages): Adult Red-tailed Hawk has a solid brick-red tail above, pale below, with a single dark band at the tip. Juveniles have brown tails with multiple dark bars. Rough-legged always shows a white tail with one or more dark subterminal bands, never red.
3. Leg feathering: Rough-legged has legs feathered to the toes ('trousers'), visible when perched or in good flight views; Red-tailed has bare yellow lower legs.
4. Wing shape and length: In flight, Rough-legged is longer-winged and longer-tailed, with wings often extending past the tail when perched. Red-tailed is chunkier, with broader, shorter wings and a shorter tail.
5. Flight style: Rough-legged often hovers while hunting and glides with wings in a shallow dihedral. Red-tailed rarely hovers and soars with flatter wings.
6. Belly band: Both species can show a dark belly band, but in Rough-legged it is usually higher on the breast and more sharply defined; in Red-tailed it is lower and broader, but this is variable and not diagnostic alone.
7. Head pattern: Red-tailed typically has a darker, more uniform head; Rough-legged often shows a paler crown and nape, giving a more contrasting look.
8. Bill size: Not a strong separator between these two; both have typical Buteo bills.
9. Morphs: Both species have light and dark morphs. Dark-morph Rough-leggeds are rare and very dark overall, but still show the carpal patch and tail band. Dark-morph Red-taileds lack the carpal patch and have a different tail pattern.
10. Habitat and season: In North America, Rough-legged is present only in winter and only in open country; Red-tailed is present year-round and in a wider range of habitats.
11. Perched structure: Rough-legged’s wings reach or extend past the tail tip when perched; Red-tailed’s wings are shorter relative to the tail.
12. Iris color: Juvenile Red-taileds have yellowish irises that darken with age; this is not a reliable separator in the field.
13. Voice: Not a useful separator; both species are usually silent in winter and their calls are not often heard in the field.
14. Jizz: Red-tailed appears bulkier and more compact, both perched and in flight; Rough-legged is rangier, more elegant, and eagle-like.
15. Common pitfalls: Juvenile Red-taileds with pale underwings and belly bands are often mistaken for Rough-leggeds; always check for the carpal patch and tail pattern. Dark-morphs of both species are challenging; focus on structure and tail.

Size

Both species are large Buteos, but Rough-legged Buzzard averages slightly heavier (mean adult mass ~926g [wikidata]), though Red-tailed Hawk can be heavier in some individuals. Structurally, Rough-legged is longer-winged and longer-tailed, giving a more eagle-like silhouette in flight, whereas Red-tailed is blockier and chunkier overall. When perched, Rough-legged’s wings reach or extend past the tail tip, while Red-tailed’s wings are shorter relative to the tail. Bill size is not a strong separator between these two.

Plumage

• Juveniles/immatures in flight: Rough-legged Buzzard (all ages, especially light morphs) shows a striking dark carpal patch on the underwing, contrasting with otherwise pale underwing coverts—a mark never present in Red-tailed Hawk. Red-tailed juveniles have a more evenly barred underwing and lack the isolated black wrist patch. Both can show a dark belly band, but Rough-legged’s is usually more sharply defined and sits higher on the breast.
• Tail pattern: Juvenile Red-taileds have brown tails with multiple dark bars (about six), while Rough-leggeds of all ages show a white tail with a broad dark subterminal band (sometimes more than one). Adult Red-taileds have a solid brick-red tail above, pale below, with a single dark band at the tip; Rough-legged never shows a red tail.
• Leg feathering: Rough-legged’s legs are feathered to the toes in all ages, giving a 'trousered' look; Red-tailed’s lower legs are bare and yellow.
• Head and upperparts: Red-tailed is generally darker-headed and more uniformly brown above; Rough-legged is paler-headed with more contrast and often shows a pale crown and nape.
• Morphs: Both species have light and dark morphs, but dark-morph Rough-leggeds are rare and can be very dark overall, sometimes with only the carpal patch and tail band visible. Dark-morph Red-taileds are variable but lack the carpal patch and always have a different tail pattern.

Behaviour

Rough-legged Buzzard frequently hovers in place while hunting, a behavior almost never seen in Red-tailed Hawk. In flight, Rough-legged appears more buoyant and eagle-like, with longer, narrower wings and a tendency to glide with wings held in a shallow dihedral. Red-tailed Hawk is more likely to soar in wide circles with wings held flat or slightly raised, and rarely hovers. Both species perch in open areas, but Rough-legged often chooses fence posts or isolated trees in open country, while Red-tailed is more adaptable and often seen on utility poles, trees, or even urban structures.

Habitat

Red-tailed Hawk is extremely widespread and adaptable, found in almost any open or semi-open habitat across North America, including forests, fields, deserts, agricultural land, and urban areas. Rough-legged Buzzard breeds only in Arctic and subarctic tundra and is seen in temperate regions only in winter, where it prefers open country such as prairies, marshes, and agricultural fields. In North America, seeing a Rough-legged outside winter or away from open habitats is unusual, while Red-tailed is present year-round in most areas.