Watercolor portrait of Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis)

Ferruginous Hawk

Buteo regalis
Breeds in northern Great Plains and west… Open landscapes such as prairies, sagebr… Common Territorial Call

Learn to identify the Ferruginous Hawk by ear. Master the "kree-ah" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“kree-ah”

What the Ferruginous Hawk sounds like

A very large, heavy-bodied hawk with long, broad wings. Light morphs have a white head and underparts with variable rusty streaking on the flanks and belly. The legs are covered in rufous feathers (forming "rusty pants"), and the back and shoulders are a rich reddish-brown color.

“kree-ah”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:A harsh, loud descending scream that sounds like 'kree-eah' or 'kree-aaa'. It is often compared to the scream of a Red-tailed Hawk but is lower pitched and more burry, sometimes likened to a Herring Gull's call. This call is typically given when the hawk is disturbed at its nest or when warning other hawks to stay away from its territory. It starts strong and then trails off toward the end. Often written as “kree-ah”.
Don't confuse with:The Red-tailed Hawk — a more common, smaller buteo. light-morph red-tailed hawks have a distinctive dark belly band and a reddish tail in adults, whereas light ferruginous have a white belly (with some rufous streaks on sides) and a pale tail. red-tails also have dark patagial marks on the leading edge of the underwing, which ferruginous hawks lack (ferruginous have white underwing with rufous wing linings and dark commas at the wrists). ferruginous hawks have feathered legs (leg feathers form "pants"), while red-tails have unfeathered yellow legs. in flight, the ferruginous's wings are longer and held flatter, and it often appears larger-headed. voice: red-tail's scream is higher pitched; ferruginous's call is slightly lower and rougher.

Where you'll hear it

Open landscapes such as prairies, sagebrush plains, and badlands.

Often seen perched on the ground or low mounds near colonies of rodents, watching for prey.

Similar species

Red-tailed Hawk

A more common, smaller buteo. Light-morph Red-tailed Hawks have a distinctive dark belly band and a reddish tail in adults, whereas light Ferruginous have a white belly (with some rufous streaks on sides) and a pale tail. Red-tails also have dark patagial marks on the leading edge of the underwing, which Ferruginous Hawks lack (Ferruginous have white underwing with rufous wing linings and dark commas at the wrists). Ferruginous Hawks have feathered legs (leg feathers form "pants"), while Red-tails have unfeathered yellow legs. In flight, the Ferruginous's wings are longer and held flatter, and it often appears larger-headed. Voice: Red-tail's scream is higher pitched; Ferruginous's call is slightly lower and rougher.

Rough-legged Hawk

Another hawk with feathered legs, but Rough-legged Hawks are a winter visitor from the arctic, smaller and more slender-winged. Light-morph Rough-legged Hawks show a dark belly patch and carpal (wrist) patches on the underwing, and a tail with multiple dark bands (often a broad subterminal band). They lack the rufous coloration on the shoulders/leggings seen in Ferruginous. Dark-morph Rough-legs are nearly all dark but have light panels near the wingtips; dark Ferruginous are all dark with some white in the tail. Rough-legged Hawks frequently hover while hunting, a behavior Ferruginous Hawks typically do not do.

Ferruginous Hawk sound FAQ

What does a Ferruginous Hawk sound like?
A harsh, loud descending scream that sounds like 'kree-eah' or 'kree-aaa'. It is often compared to the scream of a Red-tailed Hawk but is lower pitched and more burry, sometimes likened to a Herring Gull's call. This call is typically given when the hawk is disturbed at its nest or when warning other hawks to stay away from its territory. It starts strong and then trails off toward the end. Listen for the "kree-ah" phrase.
How do I tell a Ferruginous Hawk from a Red-tailed Hawk by sound?
Red-tailed Hawk: A more common, smaller buteo. Light-morph Red-tailed Hawks have a distinctive dark belly band and a reddish tail in adults, whereas light Ferruginous have a white belly (with some rufous streaks on sides) and a pale tail. Red-tails also have dark patagial marks on the leading edge of the underwing, which Ferruginous Hawks lack (Ferruginous have white underwing with rufous wing linings and dark commas at the wrists). Ferruginous Hawks have feathered legs (leg feathers form "pants"), while Red-tails have unfeathered yellow legs. In flight, the Ferruginous's wings are longer and held flatter, and it often appears larger-headed. Voice: Red-tail's scream is higher pitched; Ferruginous's call is slightly lower and rougher.; Juvenile Red-tailed Hawks can sometimes show whitish underparts, but they still exhibit the patagial marks and a different underwing pattern (dark belly and dark wrist marks). Also, Ferruginous Hawks often perch on the ground in open prairies, a behavior less common in Red-tails. Range overlap is broad in the West, but habitat (open prairie vs mixed habitat) can be a clue..
When is the best time to hear a Ferruginous Hawk?
Often seen perched on the ground or low mounds near colonies of rodents, watching for prey.