These are the largest of the buteos. Geographic Range Mostly western in the Great Basin and Great Plains. Ferruginous hawks breed from eastern Washington to southern Alberta and southern Saskatchewan, Canada, south to eastern Oregon, Nevada, northern and southeastern Arizona, northern New Mexico, northwest Texas, western Nebraska, western Kansas, and western Oklahoma. Winters across the southwest to Baja California and central Mexico. May show up in the southeast during migration.
Sexes are alike, females average just a bit larger than males.
Two color morphs occur, with intermediates. Large, white crescent-shaped patches occur on the upperwing surface on the primaries. Beneath the wing, large dark comma-shaped patches occur at the wrists. Entire head and body and wing surfaces are dark brown to cinnamon-colored. Ferruginous hawks are birds of open country.