Ferruginous Hawk Trail Camera 2021
Species at Risk
Although the peregrine falcon and the ferruginous hawk get a lot of attention because they are obviously excessively cool, there are many other interesting species that are considered to be Species at Risk, and there is no good reason not to learn about them! For example, the greater sage grouse is a very unique looking upland bird and there are very few left in Alberta. Also check out some of the bat conservation initiatives in Alberta.
For further reading, you can read some Species at Risk Conservation Stories, or find more Species at Risk publications and resources.
Nest 1
June 11, 2021
4/4
The smallest chick is still hanging in there, but there are no visible namesake feathers yet!
June 4, 2021
Ferruginous Feathers
Some of the chicks are already producing some darker feathers. Interestingly, the ferruginous hawk is one of only two hawks that have feathers that cover their legs for to their toes for better insulation against the cold.
May 28, 2021
Chick, Chick, Chick, Runt
Can you tell which of the chicks is the runt? So far, he appears to be getting fed, but his siblings may get the lion's share of the food. In some cases, the siblings may even kill each other or the runt could get bumped out of the nest. Hawk life can be brutal!
May 21, 2021
We Have Chicks!
All four eggs have successfully hatched at this nest! While four chicks is considered an average clutch size, there are reports of up to eight chicks at one nest. Those must be some crowded nests!
May 14, 2021
Rodent Breakfast Wrap
Yummy rodents galore! A single pair of Ferruginous Hawks can consume up to 500 ground squirrels in a breeding season.
May 7, 2021
Sunrise, Sunset
Twilight egg protection! Keeping the eggs safe is not just a full-time job, there are night shifts too!
April 30, 2021
More Than One Way
How many different ways can you sit on a pile of eggs? From 84 images in the last week, we can tell you with absolutely certainty that number is seven. Seven different ways.
April 23, 2021
Frozen in Place
A recent blast of snow makes sitting on the eggs a full-time job to keep them warm.
April 16, 2021
From Three to Four
The quickest egg-laying hawks out of the bunch - we have four eggs already!
April 9, 2021
Egg Alert!
Looks like we have not one, not two, but THREE eggs in this nest already!
April 7, 2021
Triple Threat!
For the first time ever we have 3 cameras on 3 Ferruginous hawk nest sites!
March 12, 2021
One of our Ferruginous Hawks is back!
Last year this same hawk couple returned on March 9th, and this year they came back on the 5th, only 4 days difference. We have an exciting summer ahead - egg laying, bumbling chicks, ground squirrel munching, and more!
Nest 2
June 11, 2021
Happy 21st
The chicks are roughly 21 days old and wing flapping usually begins around day 23. If we are lucky, over the next week we will get some images of them holding up their tiny wings!
June 4, 2021
Family Photo
The first photo of the entire hawk family together at this nest! Male chicks fledge as early as 38 days after hatching, so we have roughly one more month before they attempt their first flight.
May 28, 2021
Feeding Frenzy!
It's a feeding frenzy over here! This nestling period can range from 38 to 50 days.
May 21, 2021
Chick Spotted!
At least one chick has hatched at this nest! Can you spot the tiny hawk face looking up for his first meal?
May 14, 2021
Hatching Imminent!
We are on roughly day 33 of egg incubation, which means chicks are imminent! Average incubation time is 32-33 days.
May 7, 2021
Please Bear With Us
This camera is experiencing technical difficulties, check back soon!
April 30, 2021
Hidden Eggs?!
It appears that full time sitting has commenced at this nest. We haven't clearly seen any eggs in the images, but it sure seems like there is something worth sitting on here!
April 23, 2021
Suprise Attack!
Just kidding, both hawks are doubling down on nest construction for now.
April 16, 2021
Under Construction
After some construction delays from windstorms, nest building is back in full swing.
April 9, 2021
Show-off
Showing off those beautiful rust colours for the camera! We are glad to report that all 3 nests are now occupied; eggs and hawk chicks incoming!
April 7, 2021
Who Ordered All This Snow?
Currently all three nests have hawks and there is lots of nest building going on to prepare for a summer of protecting eggs and raising chicks.
March 19, 2021
The Birds are Back!
We're welcoming a nesting pair back to nest two - they're already busy prepping for the season!
Nest 3
June 4, 2021
Camera Down
Unfortunately, we believe this camera is down for the season. We hope to have it up and running for next year's pair of hawks!
April 30, 2021
Please Bear With Us
This camera is experiencing technical difficulties, check back soon!
April 23, 2021
More Stick Engineering!
There was a glimpse of an egg in this nest but nothing confirmed yet.
April 16, 2021
Eggs Incoming?
Lots of hawk cuddling going on at this nest... eggs must be coming soon!
April 9, 2021
Winter Sun
When it's -02°C, you've gotta soak up as much sun as you can.
April 7, 2021
The Birds are Back!
Historically, Ferruginous Hawk nests were partially constructed of the bones and wool of bison. Does this mean the hawks used to hunt bison? No, no it doesn't, but it's fun to imagine.
March 19, 2021
Stay Tuned...
No hawks spotted at this nest site yet, but stay tuned - they'll be back soon!