Ferruginous Hawk
Buteo regalis
Also known as: Rusty Hawk
The Ferruginous Hawk is the largest 'buteo' hawk in North America, named for the rusty (ferruginous) colour of its back and legs. It is a bird of the open plains and prairies, specialising in hunting small mammals like ground squirrels and prairie dogs. Due to the lack of trees in its habitat, it will often build its large nest on cliffs or even directly on the ground.
Ferruginous Hawk Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions About the Ferruginous Hawk
Ferruginous Hawks are one of the few American raptors with fully feathered legs right down to the toes. Those feathers help distinguish them from many other hawks and are thought to be useful in the open, often cold and windy habitats where they hunt.
The Ferruginous Hawk can be found in Western North America and is most often associated with Open prairies, deserts, grasslands.
The Ferruginous Hawk feeds on Small mammals, birds and is considered a carnivore.
The Ferruginous Hawk is currently listed as Least Concern, with a stable population trend. Main threats include Agriculture, Loss of prairie habitat.
The Ferruginous Hawk is usually solitary/pairs.
The Ferruginous Hawk is typically diurnal.
The Ferruginous Hawk is partially migratory.
The main threats facing the Ferruginous Hawk include Agriculture and Loss of prairie habitat.
The Ferruginous Hawk population trend is currently stable.
Well-known places to look for the Ferruginous Hawk include Great Basin (USA) and Canadian Prairies.
Natural predators of the Ferruginous Hawk include Golden eagles and Great horned owls.
Indicator species for the health of North American grasslands.
The Ferruginous Hawk is part of the Accipitridae family and an Accipitriformes order.
The Ferruginous Hawk weighs about 1.2 kg, stands around 60 cm tall, reaches about 63 cm in length, and has a wingspan of about 140 cm.
The Ferruginous Hawk can reach speeds of around 60 km/h.
