Ferruginous Hawk – "Orion"

07
Oct

Ferruginous Hawk – "Orion"

(Buteo regalis)

“Orion”

Distribution: Ferruginous Hawks are found mostly in short-grass prairies from southern Canada, through parts of the western and central United States and south into Mexico.

Distribution: Ferruginous Hawks are found mostly in short-grass prairies from southern Canada, through parts of the western and central United States and south into Mexico.

Size: Ferruginous Hawks range from 22-26 inches long, have a 4-5 foot wingspan, and weigh 2-4 1/2 pounds. Males are smaller than females by as much as one-third.

Diet: These raptors prey primarily on mammals such as rabbits, squirrels, rodents, and gophers. They are also known to eat birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.

Lifespan: These hawks can live for 20 years in the wild.

Reproduction: Female Ferruginous Hawks lay 3-4 eggs. Their nests, which are made of sticks, are constructed in trees, bushes, on cliff ledges, on man-made platforms, or sometimes on the ground. Incubation is done primarily by the female and lasts approximately 33 days. The young fledge around 6 weeks of age and are mature at 2 years.

Did You Know?

  • This is the largest and heaviest of the buteo hawks in North America, and some experts consider these birds to be small eagles.
  • Ferruginous’ scientific name comes from the Latin words buteo (meaning hawk) and regalis (meaning royal or regal, a reference to this bird’s large size).
  • The common name comes from the Latin word ferrugo (meaning rust, referring to the color of the adult plumage).
  • Ferruginous Hawks have also been called Eagle Hawk, Gopher Hawk, Ferruginous Rough-legged Hawk, and Squirrel Hawk.

You are donating to : Greennature Foundation

How much would you like to donate?
$10 $20 $30
Would you like to make regular donations? I would like to make donation(s)
How many times would you like this to recur? (including this payment) *
Name *
Last Name *
Email *
Phone
Address
Additional Note
paypalstripe
Loading...