The Stunning Ferruginous Hawk

CORRECTION:  I appreciate expert birders when I make mistakes and they help and teach me.  Photos 2 and 5 are not Ferruginous hawks.  Even though the coloring is like them, they are immature Swainson's hawks.  Ferruginous hawks have feathers down their legs to their feet.  Also some of the other markings are not consistant with those of the Ferrugs.   Thanks to those who corrected me.  It is appreciated.

One of the rarest hawks of Madison County is the stunning Ferruginous.  Most nest and live in the desert west of Madison County, but we get visits and and fly overs from them.  They are a large bird, but their coloring of white and rust while flying over you gives them a delicate appearance.

While sitting on a fence post eating a gopher, it coloration is dominated by the rusty back.

They are a dominating figure as they dive toward you if you happen to get too close.  Their wingspan is the largest of the hawks of Madison County at almost five feet.

When leaving their perch on a snag, you can often hear the long wings brushing the branches.

This summer I will be maintaining a raptor observation route.  I will be counting, recording data and observing the habits of nesting pairs of raptors.  Hopefully one of those will be the beautiful Ferruginous hawk.