Ferruginous hawks

The biggest hawk species native to North America is the ferruginous hawk, which is sometimes mistaken for an eagle due to its enormous size.

These hawks are also known as "Ferruginous rough-leg" since they are related to Rough-legged Hawks (Buteo lagopus). They play a significant role in the sport of falconry. In terms of size, ferruginous hawks exhibit sexual dimorphism, with females being somewhat bigger than males.

In terms of size and hunting habits, ferruginous hawks are similar to eagles; they typically kill small to medium-sized animals but will also capture birds, reptiles, and certain insects. Birds are the second most prevalent mass component in the diet, with mammals making up 80–90% of the prey items or biomass. The black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus), together with ground squirrels and pocket gophers, is a key food species where the ferruginous hawk's range overlaps. The diet varies considerably regionally depending on the distribution of prey species. One of the most active squirrel predators is this hawk. Typically, it will watch the tops of trees for squirrels to emerge before swooping down and catching them. Ground squirrels may replace jackrabbits as the primary food source, depending on their relative abundance. From tiny shrews and tiny bats to the black-tailed jackrabbit, which weighs considerably more than a ferruginous hawk, mammals can be prey.