Ferruginous Hawk
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Ferruginous Hawks (Buteo Regalis) are fairly large hawks that live in the Central and Western United States.
The term Ferruginous refers to the rusty or rufous shade of the bird's wings and leg feathers. It even has feathers around its toes.
They can grow up to two feet in length, with wing spans of up to four feet.
From nest building to incubation of eggs to feeding, both the males and females of the species participate in raising their young. Stick and twig nests are typically built in high structures such as trees and cliffs.
Their diet consists of a variety of mammals, birds and reptiles in their territory.
Northern residents migrate south for the winter, however many Southern residents live year round in their territory.
Ferruginous population levels are difficult to determine, consequently the Audubon Society tends to move them on and off their watch list.
© 2011 Patricia A. Michaels