Bird · GBIF taxon 2480566
Ferruginous Hawk
Buteo regalisAlso known as Ferruginous Rough-leg, Rusty Hawk, Prairie Eagle
Ferruginous hawks are the largest buteo hawks in North America, named for the rich rust-colored plumage coating their back, shoulders, and feathered legs. These open-country predators hunt from low perches, on the wing, or even by standing directly beside prairie dog burrows to ambush emerging prey. Extremely sensitive to human intrusion during breeding, pairs construct massive stick nests on cliff ledges, trees, or dirt mounds across western grasslands.
RaptorGrasslandCarnivore
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Prairie Dog
- Ground Squirrel
- Jackrabbit
Predators
- Great Horned Owl
- Golden Eagle
- Coyote
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, nest disturbance, prey declines, secondary rodenticide poisoning
HabitatsGrasslands, shrub-steppe, deserts, open plains
Life span15–20 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyAccipitridae
- SpeciesButeo regalis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Possesses powerful talons and a sharp beak; maintain distance and never approach active nests.
- What to notice
- Look for a massive pale raptor with reddish-brown legs forming a distinct dark V shape against white underparts.
- Support conservation
- Use spotting scopes from at least 300 meters away and avoid lingering near nest sites.
Responsible observation
- Nest Distance: Keep at least 300 meters away from occupied nests to prevent nest abandonment.
- Spotting Technique: Scan fence posts, power poles, and high knolls along rural prairie roads.
- Viewing Etiquette: Remain inside your vehicle when observing near roadsides to avoid flushing birds.
Primary Prey (c) Meghan Cassidy, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Meghan Cassidy · cc-by-sa
Competitor Flickr user lostinfog . Photo edited and uploaded to commons by user ltshears / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Doug Macaulay, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Doug Macaulay · cc-by
Genus Relative Buteo_jamaicensis_1.jpg: Alan Vernon derivative work: Berichard (talk) / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
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