Written by Peter Pearsall/Photos by Dan Streiffert
The ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis) is the largest North American member of the genus Buteo, a cosmopolitan group of broad-winged raptors known as “buzzards” in the Old World. Named for the rust-colored (“ferruginous”) plumage on its back and legs, this formidable bird is built for the wide-open landscapes of the American West.
Ferruginous hawks are imposing, with wingspans reaching up to 4.5 feet (1.4 meters) and stocky bodies that can weigh more than four pounds. They are sometimes confused with eagles at a distance due to their size and broad, powerful wings. Adults typically display rufous plumage on their back, shoulders, and thighs, contrasting with pale underparts. Two color morphs exist: a light morph, which is more common, and a dark morph, which is chocolate-brown overall.
These hawks favor open country—grasslands, prairies, shrublands, and desert edges—stretching from the Great Plains through the western U.S. and into southern Canada and northern Mexico. Ferruginous hawks specialize in hunting small to medium-sized mammals. Jackrabbits, prairie dogs, and ground squirrels make up the bulk of their diet, though they will also take birds, reptiles, and insects when available.
These hawks build large stick nests on cliffs, trees, utility poles, or even directly on the ground in open prairies. Pairs often reuse and refurbish nests year after year, as many familiar with the Highway 205 nest can attest. Clutches typically contain 2–5 eggs, with both parents participating in feeding the young.
While not currently endangered, ferruginous hawks are considered a species of concern in parts of their range due to habitat loss, energy development, and declines in prey populations such as prairie dogs. Conservation efforts aimed at maintaining native grasslands and healthy small-mammal populations are crucial to the species’ long-term survival.
