Behavior
The flight of the Ferruginous Hawk is active, with slow wing beats much like that of a small eagle. Soaring with the wings held in a strong dihedral has been noted, as well as gliding with the wings held flat, or in a modified dihedral. Hovering and low cruising over the ground are also used as hunting techniques. The wing beat has been described as "fluid" by some observers.
Territorial conflicts have been reported with other species, such as the Great Horned and Short-eared Owl, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed and Swainson's Hawks, Golden Eagle, accipiters, ravens, and magpies. Among native raptorial birds, only larger eagles and similarly-sized Great Horned Owls can regularly outmatch this large and powerful hawk. It seems to be quite tolerant of conspecifics from adjacent territories.
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