Ferruginous Hawk Trail Camera
2021 Ferruginous Hawk Summary
Thank you for tuning in to watch the three ferruginous hawk trail cameras. In March 2021, all three nests had nesting pairs; by early April, eggs started appearing. Unfortunately, shortly after the eggs appeared in #Nest3, the camera went down indefinitely. Luckily, the cameras at #Nest1 and #Nest2 were still up and running for our viewing pleasure for the remainder of the season:
- #Nest1: The same hawk pair from last year returned—and they are consistent! Last year, they started nesting on March 9; this year they came back on March 5—only 4 days difference! Of the four eggs that were laid, three young were born and fledged successfully.
- #Nest2: The new hawk pair at this nest took their time building their new home. By the end of April, they had settled down with four eggs. Near the end of May, all four of the eggs hatched, but only three young fledged successfully in July. Spring (and the birds) is just around the corner! Check back in April 2022 to continue the #ferruginousfriday hawk adventure.
Species at Risk
Although the peregrine falcons and the ferruginous hawks get a lot of attention because they are so cool, there are many other interesting creatures 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 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.
The Ferruginous Hawk Trail Camera project has now concluded for the 2021 breeding season. Thanks for following along with our hawks and see you next year!
Nest 1
July 22, 2021
Farewell Hawks!
Saying goodbye is never easy, but we are happy to report that it was a great year for the hawks at this nest: 3 young hawks have successfully fledged!
July 9, 2021
Dinner Den
The juvenile hawks at this nest are rarely seen on the camera these days, but clearly the nest still makes a great dinner plate!
July 2, 2021
First Flights
Fledging underway! We have been getting a few empty nest images, which means the chicks have been taking their first flights.
June 25, 2021
Favourite Food
Another day, another ground squirrel. Do you think ferruginous hawks ever get tired of eating ground squirrels? No, the answer is no.
June 18, 2021
Breakfast, lunch, dinner!
Did you know? Raw ground squirrels are a very flexible food item, they are great for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! A single pair of Ferruginous Hawks can eat up to 500 ground squirrels per breeding season.
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
July 22, 2021
Farewell Hawks!
The birds at this nest also saw great success and added 3 more ferruginous hawks to the world. Farewell our feathered friends. We hope to see you again next spring!
July 9, 2021
Pre-fledge
It's almost hard to tell the difference between the adults and juveniles at this nest now! While they have not fledged quite yet and appear to be a little behind the hawks at the other nest, at least we are still getting some awesome photos of them!
July 2, 2021
Almost Ready!
No first flights at this nest yet, but it looks like they have been seriously considering it!
June 25, 2021
Rust Hawk
Our juvenile hawks seen here showing off their rust-coloured chest patches and the very reason why they were named ferruginous hawks (ferruginous is defined as containing iron oxides or rust, reddish brown; rust-coloured).
June 18, 2021
Wingin' It
First image of a chick wing test! While those stumpy wings won't be taking them into the clouds just yet, they are clearly thinking really hard about it.
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
July 22, 2021
Camera Down
While an unknown technical problem has prevented this camera from sending images, a report on this nest will be available when the cameras are collected this fall and the images are manually retrieved.
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!
Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis)
One of the biggest challenges for ferruginous hawks is the loss of suitable nesting habitat; from 1992 to 2005, the species declined by 64 per cent in Canada. The best thing we can do to bring the population back up is to provide nesting areas for them in suitable locations and then not disturb them.
Appearance
- An At Risk species in Alberta (around 865 pairs estimated in Alberta based on 2015 survey).
- Wingspan can reach 1.5 metres.
- Largest of North America’s hawks (63 cm long).
- Light-coloured, rusty back, light and unbanded tail (there is also a dark morph with rufous-brown feathers)
Habitat
- Migrate from southwest United States and Mexico.
- Prefer areas of uncultivated pastureland or prairie.
- Only one of two raptors to use grasslands as main habitat.
Food
- Mainly feeds on rodents (ground squirrels, mice, voles, white-tailed jackrabbits).
- One pair (with chicks) consumes an average of 480 ground squirrels per season.
- Hunt during the day when squirrels are active.
Timeline
- Arrive in Alberta in early to mid March.
- Nest and raise chicks from mid-April to late-July.
- Migrate south in September and October.
Courtship
- Mainly monogamous.
- Meet and perform dancing routine in the sky. Finally, the pair grasps beaks and talons and spirals downwards.
Breeding
- Birds return to the same area (often the same nest).
- New sticks and twigs are added to existing nest each year.
- Historically, they used bison bones and dung.
- Nests can be found from ground level to 20 metres high (cliffs, haystacks, farm buildings, trees).
- May have up to five nests but only use one each year.
- They lay three to five eggs each year.
Lifespan
- Incubation is 32-36 days.
- Attempt flight at about two months.
- Mature at three years of age.
- Live to 15 or 20 in the wild.