Ferruginous hawk reaches for the sky
A ferruginous hawk lifts its wings high as it launches. (© Tony’s Takes)

As we get further into the colder months, I am slowly seeing more and more of these cool raptors.

This particular one was staking out a pole on a road near a prairie dog colony but decided it didn’t want its picture taken. This image gives you a nice look at those long legs and the wings that give it a 4 1/2-foot wingspan.

Ferruginous hawks are one of only three American raptors to have feathers all the way down to their feet (the other two being the rough-legged hawk and golden eagle). They are the largest hawk in North America and quite impressive.

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