Subspecies
Genus | Species | subspecies | Region | Range |
Buteo | regalis | NA | w, wc |
Genus
Members of the genus Buteo are broad-winged, broad-tailed hawks, Well adapted for soaring. The bill, legs and talons are of average proportions. There is much colour variation both within the species, and, by way of phases, within individual species. In all cases the young are quite different from adults in that they are all well camouflaged with an overall brown appearance with varying amounts of striping below and paler mottling above.
The 25 species are spread worldwide with the exception of Australasia and much of the Indian sub-continent.
Physical charateristics
dark V formed by the rufousthighs. Immatures lack this and also the rusty patches on the underwing. They show a white rump and a gray tail. Dark morphs (adults) overhead have dark wing linings, contrasting with white flight feathers and white tails.
Listen to the sound of Ferruginous Hawk
[audio:http://www.planetofbirds.com/MASTER/ACCIPITRIFORMES/Accipitridae/sounds/Ferruginous Hawk.mp3]
Copyright remark: Most sounds derived from xeno-canto
wingspan min.: | 122 | cm | wingspan max.: | 142 | cm |
size min.: | 56 | cm | size max.: | 69 | cm |
incubation min.: | 32 | days | incubation max.: | 33 | days |
fledging min.: | 38 | days | fledging max.: | 40 | days |
broods: | 1 | eggs min.: | 2 | ||
eggs max.: | 5 |
Range
Habitat
Reproduction
Nest: Site is usually in top of tree, 20-50′ above ground, but can be as low as 6′ (available trees may be very short). Sometimes nests on cliff or on ground. Nest is bulky structure of sticks and debris, lined with finer materials, including cow dung. Historically, some nests were built of bison bones and lined with bison dung. Nest may be reused and added to annually until it becomes huge.
Clutch size 2 -4, sometimes up to 6 or more. Pale bluish white fading to white, usually marked with brown. Incubation is by both sexes, but female does more, and male brings food to her. Incubation period 32-33 days.
Female remains with young at first; male brings food, female feeds it to young. After about 3 weeks, both parents hunt. Age of young at first flight about 40 -50 days.
Feeding habits
Feeds on most readily available small prey, such as young jackrabbits, ground squirrels, pocket gophers, kangaroo rats; also cottontails, mice, others. Also eats birds, snakes, large insects.
Behavior: Hunts by watching for prey while soaring high, flying low, or from a raised perch. Sometimes waits on ground near active burrow of pocket gopher, then catches the rodent as it surfaces.
Video Ferruginous Hawk
copyright: Conan Guard