Loch Lomond Birds of Prey - Ferruginous Eagle

This eagle is one of the smallest, having recently been re-categorised from being a hawk. Ferruginous means "rusty colour" and refers to the coloration of the birds wing and leg feathers. These hawks are rust-coloured on the back and shoulders, mostly white under the wings and on the breast, belly, and tail (which lacks the dark bands of other hawks). The rust-coloured legs contrast with the white body and look like a dark "V" when the bird is flying overhead.

Ferruginous Eagles can be found in arid to semi-arid regions, as well as grassland and agricultural areas in south-western Canada, western United States, and northern Mexico.

This eagle eats mostly mammals, like hares, rabbits, gophers, and ground squirrels, but will also sometimes hunt birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. Ferruginous Eagles hunt with a variety of techniques including hunting from a perch, hovering, low or high searching flight, or from the ground.