Ferruginous Hawk. These hawks have short, dark, hooked beaks and extremely long, yellow gapes that extend to below the eye.

Ferruginous hawk Buteo regalis Ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis)is the largest of North American soaring hawks, with a wingspan of up to 135 cm (53 inches). DESCRIPTION: Ferruginous Hawk is one of the three species of American Hawks to have feathered legs to toes. The Ferruginous Hawk raises only one brood per season, with the female laying three to five eggs when conditions are right. Ferruginous hawks are the heaviest of all hawks. Along with the Rough-legged Hawk they are the only other species to have feathers all the way down to their toes. The Ferruginous Hawk has a breeding only range in Colorado. Wingspan : 133-142 cm Weight : 977-2074 g. LONGEVITY : Up to 20 years. Length ranges from 51 to 66 cm, wingspan from 122 to 152 cm, and weight from 2.2 to 4.5 pounds (998 to 2,041 g). The number of young a pair can successfully raise depends upon the cyclical abundance of its mammalian prey, a breeding strategy also seen in the Snowy Owl . Two color morphs occur, with intermediates. In fact, if food is scarce, a pair may not nest at all. Like many owls and other raptors, the Ferruginous Hawk’s nesting and fledgling success are very dependent upon the food supply in the nesting territory. Largest Buteo, with pale head, broad wings and robust legs and feet.

Ferruginous hawks mate for life. It soars with its broad wings held in a shallow V, and swoops down to catch ground squirrels, snakes, young jackrabbits, and other good-sized prey. The ferruginous hawk is the largest buteo in North America, with a length of 20 to 25 inches and a wingspan of 53 to 56 inches. The Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis) is a large, long-winged hawk of the open, arid grasslands, prairie and shrub steppe country. Light morph: Rust colored back and shoulders; head paler, grayish and streaked, and white tail has pale rust wash on end. They are the largest of all North American hawks, even larger than the Red-tailed Hawk.

This largest of North American hawks really is regal—its species name is regalis —with a unique gray head, rich, rusty (ferruginous) shoulders and legs, and gleaming white underparts. Photos of multiple color morphs are found at the bottom of the page. Buteo regalis. It is often seen sitting on the ground in open fields. Found in prairies, deserts, and open range of the West, the regal Ferruginous Hawk hunts from a lone tree, rock outcrop, or from high in the sky. Ferruginous Hawk 50-66 cm#R; 980-2030 g, male averages 1050 g, female 1230 g#R; wingspan 134-152 cm#R. The same pair nests every year, till one of them meets death. The upland buzzard of Asia is the only hawk that averages higher than the ferruginous hawk in terms of length and wingspan, but the ferruginous hawk is heavier. Ferruginous hawk Scientific Name. The Ferruginous Hawk is the largest and heaviest of the buteo hawks. In flight, the Ferruginous hawk has a light underside with reddish-brown markings on the underside of the wings and on the legs, forming a characteristic dark V against the bird’s white underparts. A rarer dark-morph is reddish-chocolate in color. It is the largest American Hawk, with long and broad wings, large head and wide gape. The ferruginous hawk is the largest buteo in North America averaging 22.5-25" long, with a 53-56" wingspan. Height: 22-28 inches (Largest of Buteo hawks on this page) Height: 18-24 inches : Wingspan: 52-60 inches: Wingspan: 46-54 inches This regal bird is the largest of our soaring Buteo hawks, a fitting raptor for the wide skies and windswept plains of the west. Identifying Characteristics. Length: 22.1-27.2 in Weight: 34.5-73.2 oz Wingspan: 52.4-55.9 in. The term "rough-legged" refers to the fully feathered legs, similar to a Ferruginous Hawk. 8. Ferruginous Hawk - Buteo regalis The Ferruginous Hawk, Buteo regalis (Latin, royal hawk), is a large bird of prey and belongs to the broad-winged buteo hawks. In flig Sexes are alike, females average just a bit larger than males. Ferruginous hawk Buteo regalis Ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis)is the largest of North American soaring hawks, with a wingspan of up to 135 cm (53 inches).