This pie chart shows the relative likelihood of observing particular other species commonly observed near Buteo regalis

Range and Population:

Buteo regalis is an open-country species inhabiting grasslands, shrub-steppes and deserts of North America, nesting in 17 states in the USA and three provinces in Canada. It winters in the south USA and north Mexico. The population has been estimated at 5,800-14,000 individuals, and is thought to be declining in several areas, especially on the periphery of its range. Declines are primarily the result of cultivation, over-grazing and fire degrading habitat throughout its range, and the controlling of small mammal populations (prairie-dog towns and gopher populations) limiting food resources. However, the extent of this decline is unknown, and may be compensated for by increases in other areas. Management recommendations were published in 1999¹. CITES Appendix II. CMS Appendix II.[1]
Countries:Native:
Canada; Mexico; United States

[1][1]

Habitat Overview:

The ferruginous hawk is an occupant of open dry country and will perch on badger mounds or hillocks when trees or posts are not available. It requires large, open tracts of grasslands, sparse shrub, or desert habitats with elevated structures for nesting. Its wintering habitat is similar in being open and it may also occur in areas of mixed grassy glades and pineries (Brown and Amadon 1968).

The preferred habitat for ferruginous hawks is the arid, semiarid and grassland regions of North America. The countryside is open, level, or rolling prairies; foothills or middle elevation plateaus largely devoid of trees; and cultivated shelterbelts or riparian corridors. Rock outcrops, shallow canyons, and gullies may characterize some habitats. These hawks avoid high elevations, forest interiors, narrow canyons, and cliff areas.

During the breeding season, the preference is for grasslands, sage, and other arid shrub country. Nesting occurs in the open areas or in trees including cottonwoods, willows, and swamp oaks along waterways. Cultivated fields and modified grasslands are avoided during the breeding period. The density of ferruginous hawks in grasslands declines in a direct, inverse relationship to the degree of cultivation of the grasslands. However, high densities have been reported in areas where nearly 80 percent of the grassland was under cultivation.The winter habitat is similar to that used during the summer. However, cultivated areas are not necessarily avoided, particularly when the crops are not ploughed under after harvest. The standing stubble provides habitat for the small mammal prey base needed by ferruginous and other hawks. Some key attributes of the habitat include the availability of perches such as poles, lone trees, knolls, rocky outcrops or large boulders. Nesting will occur in trees if they are available, including riparian strips but the presence of water does not appear to be critical to ferruginous hawks.

Ecology Notes:

List of Habitats:3.4Shrubland - Temperate 4.4Grassland - Temperate 8.1Desert - Hot

Predators:

Birds have been known to live for 20 years in the wild, but most birds probably die within the first five years. The oldest banded birds were recovered at age 20. First year mortality has been estimated at 66 percent and the adult mortality at 25 percent. The reasons for mortality include illegal shooting, loss of a satisfactory food supply, harassment, predation, and starvation of nestlings during times of low food supply. Ground nests are susceptible to predation by coyotes, and nestlings may be preyed upon by great horned owls and golden eagles.

In sections below, we make some habitat inferences based on the known habitat preferences of those species most commonly associated with Buteo regalis.

Zone:

alpine, montane, subtropics, temperate.

Vegetation:

alpine meadows, boreal forest, brush piles, brushy fence rows, canebrakes, coniferous forests, croplands, cultivated areas, deciduous woods and forests, desert, desert scrub, disturbed sites, fence rows, fields, forest edges, forests, gardens, grasslands, hardwood forests, mature forests, meadows, mesic forest, moist woods, montane forests, open forests, pasture, pine forests, rain forest, shrubby vegetation, thickets, tropical forest, tundra grassland.

Terrain:

dry slopes, hillsides, mountain slopes, pastureland, roadsides, rock outcrops, sand dunes, scree, streamsides, urban areas, valleys.

Soil and Rock:

clay, limestone, loam, sandy areas, sandy soil.

Water in Area:

along rivers, bays, bogs, brackish water, coral reef, ditches, dry areas, estuaries, lagoon, lakes, marshes, mesic areas, ponds, river banks, rivers, saltwater, shores, stream banks, streams, swamps, swampy areas.

Slopes in Area:

hillsides.