Ferruginous hawk nest site selection

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

Woffinden, Neil D.; Murphy, Joseph R.

Source:

Journal of Wildlife Management, The Wildlife Society, Volume 47, Issue 1, p.216-219 (1983)

Call Number:

A83WOF01IDUS

Keywords:

Buteo regalis

Abstract:

The ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis) is a large buteo of dry open country. It breeds from eastern Washington, southern Alberta, southern Saskatchewan, and southwestern Manitoba, south to eastern Oregon, Nevada, New Mexico, northwestern Texas, and western Oklahoma. In Utah, ferruginous hawks have been observed nesting in Utah junipers (Juniperus osteosperma), on rock outcrops, on the ground, and on piles of road-bed gravel. Howard reported this species nesting on the crossarms of a utility pole in southern Idaho. In North Dakota nests have been found on top of haystacks and ferruginous hawks have nested successfully on artificial nesting platforms in both Canada and the United States. The objective of our study was to identify preferential habitat requirements in ferruginous hawk nest site selection.