Ferruginous Hawk, Buteo regalis |
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![]() Ferruginous are the largest North American hawks, imposing birds often identified as eagles, appropriately designated " regalis." They inhabit the drier regions of the American west, where trees tend to be scarce, and they are often seen perched on the ground. They are never common, but can be found in winter in the interior valleys of the Coast Range in California, where I have photographed them. Above, a Ferruginous near eye level, flying by with a small mammal, maybe a vole, in its talons; below, the same bird on a telephone pole, eating its prey. |
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![]() A Ferruginous Hawk coming in to land. | |
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![]() Carrying prey. |
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![]() The species has two color forms (morphs), the much more common being the light morph, with light underparts and mostly light head, as all the images above this one. This one shows a dark morph Ferruginous Hawk, with dark feathering on the head and underparts. |