Ferruginous Hawk

 The ferruginous hawk is a large hawk that is found primarily in the open central grasslands of western North America. The name ferruginous probably comes from the Latin word ferrgin which means iron rust, and has to do with the reddish brown coloration of these hawks. They are members of the genus Buteo which are the hawks that are designed for soaring, with long wings and shorter tail.

The ferruginous hawks is the largest hawk in North America. They live in arid and semi arid grasslands. Their primary source of food are mammals, at 80-90%. Typical prey includes mice, ground squirrels, prairie dogs and jackrabbits. They will also eat snakes, lizards, and birds. They nest from southern Canada in the north to New Mexico and Arizona in the south and from Washington and Oregon in the west to the Dakotas and Nebraska in the east. During the winter birds in the northern portions of the breeding range head down into the southwestern United States and Mexico. Although they spend most of their time in warmer climates they are one of only 2 species of hawks in North America with feathers that extend down to their feet. The other species is the rough-legged hawk which is a species found mostly in the north.