Falconry: Ferruginous hawk VS Red-tailed hawk

[@HotdogJuice]

Beautiful bird! Looking forward to committing to falconry soon.

[@Just_Vryatt]

While I was never considering a ferruginous hawk I clicked on the video anyways because I love to listen to Ben talk and always learn something interesting

[@elsbethmorgan]

I want to get into falconry so bad and because of that I've been watching a lot of your videos and honestly it's awesome to know that you're also from Utah.

[@gargar8196]

Thank you for keeping this ancient art front and center

[@KingCam888]

Very informational Thank you

[@johnstwistedego1]

Species comparisons and spotlights are a favorite topic for me! Please consider doing one on the Black Chested buzzard eagle, and it’s potential roll in falconry! (Or focused on a few lesser used potentially great falconry raptors!) As always thanks for the great content!

[@jamesmcdermott9275]

Hi Ben , I really like your unscripted style of videos on Falconry my friend, you are a true master and very enjoyable and informative at the same time.👍👍

[@sub65chris]

Another great video on ferruginous hawks. Thank you for the insights.

[@mamiiicab9184]

Tres jolies! Merci beaucoup! 😊👍👍👍

[@matsfreedom]

My first falconry bird was a passage female Red-tailed hawk, way back in 1976. The bird was nothing short of amazing! Many jackrabbits, cotton tails, and pheasants ended up in my game bag over a two year saga with this bird. This was before the days of telemetry, though, and I lost her in the spring of her 2nd year. I prefer the company of falcons these days, but I'll never forget that "first bird."

[@kooale]

Boy - that Chilean Blue! First time visitor, subscribed!

[@brandimyhren6317]

Always good to bread in the hobby . Because as you said there will be and there are times when wild animals are threatened by lose of wild numbers and hobbies can always be that group to bring back a species numbers.

[@tomtalker2000]

I've been in the avian field for 30yrs now. Having "hands on" experience with everything from Warblers to Birds of Prey. And when i lecture i often tell folks the best way too tell Buteos apart from Accipiters is by tail length and bulk i.e body size. Buteos 90% of the time are always going too be bulkier have broader wings and shorter tails. Goshawks the largest of the Accipiter family which consists of the smaller Sharp Shinned & Coopers Hawks. And Goshawks are sort of the "in between" Buteo & Accipiter looking hawks in terms of size. Ferruginous Hawks are the largest Buteos and often can be mistaken for an Eagle on an untrained eye. They average about 23in length with a 56in wingspan and weigh in at around 3.5lbs. Red Tail's are on average 20in with a 45-50in wingspan and weigh in at around 2.5 lbs. Females on any bird of prey species will always be larger so by a little so by A LOT. When i've observed both Ferruginous and Red Tail's soaring. I find the Ferruginous too have longer narrower wings. Where as Red Tail's have shorter broader wings and even soar at times with a slight "dihedral" which is curve upwards of the wings. You can see this pronounced VERY MUCH when watching Turkey Vultures soaring and rocking back and forth through the thermals. Accipters aren't known for being "soarers" though they can. Most of my field observations of them have been in woodlands. As there wings and legs are meant for dodging and weaving through thick trees when pursuing other birds as prey. Most folks will often see Sharp Shinned or Coopers Hawks around there bird feeders in winter time. It's much more infrequent seeing a Red Tail fly through your backyard. As they are more often spotted soaring.

[@usauk3605]

Agreed, I farm, and have tons of Red Tails in my area, they often follow us during harvest to pick off any rabbits, mice etc that we flush out. Definitely agree on the body size difference between Buteos and Accipiters, we also have Cooper’s Hawks in the area, and they have a much slimmer body shape compared to Red Tails.

[@RaptorGirlkathy]

Thank you Ben! Such great info and I love your off-the-cuff style. So wonderful that you can speak without a script, because you know so very much! 😊

[@kristensorensen2219]

Love this bird!! We get a pair raising chicks and they are extremely vocal!! I often call the juvenile in because it seems curious who is calling back? We have Red Tail year round. These two similar birds are hilarious with crows. The Red gets chased by nesting crows! But this Feruginous won't tollerate a crow mob! Our resident Bald Eagle hunts ducks and bigger water birds by the full moon! Cool! Thanks for this information on a favorite!!💖

[@junebug97]

One of the reasons I love your channel is your laid back manners and lack of scripting! It is really helpful to hear the thoughts of a Master Falconer. Thank you for being so inspiring - your channel has helped me fall in love with the sport. Fun aside: I have my exam tomorrow at 10 AM eastern time! Excited to comment once I've passed- if I don't comment for a month, you know what happened 😂

[@ig_omar4288]

Waiting

[@junebug97]

@@ig_omar4288 PASSED!! With a 95 :D

[@BobScullin]

Ben, I am new to the study of falconry and I am addicted to your KZbin videos. I love everything but would really appreciate if you were able to label the birds you highlight with the name of their species. They are beautiful birds and all of us could learn a lot if we knew what we were looking at. Keep up the good work. Bob Scullin

[@paulroberts7767]

Thanks for the great video. So interesting. Foot size, large bodie but small-footed buteos (Swainson's, Red-shoulder's) tend to target mice. Also, what about sexual dimorphism, esp in redtails? Don't know where this stands, but I'd read that some consider the ferruginous a booted eagle rather than a buteo. The clip at 28:47 shows a ferruginous looking for all the world like a T. rex! Fantastic shot. I'd come to see the larger accipiters as looking like velociraptors when on the ground. They are fast too!

[@apnosaurus]

what about a video detailing the different methods each buteo uses to fly? which ones are flapping soarers, vs powerful pursuit.

[@DD602Meade]

Dallas Tx resident. Wife said come out here and look at these hawks. Pair of ferruginous hawks perched about 30’ up in a pecan tree. First time I have ever seen these 2 birds, and have never even heard of this type of hawk. They were huge, majestic and I am reading everything I can find about these birds. Hopefully they will eat some of our tree rats….squirrels. Got my binoculars out and got a really good look at them. A mocking bird and some finches were trying to harass them, but not for long. Hoping they come back for a visit.

[@exoticanimalkingdom]

Great clip👍👍👍. Can you make a video about what happens with neglected raptors plz

[@tomtalker2000]

Harris Hawks would love those Jack Rabbits. They often hunt like wolves in packs. Which is very atypical for Buteos.

[@itsgonnarain100]

can you do a video of all the color varaints of red tail hawk thanks

[@keerthivasannambiraju955]

Rough legged hawks and ferruginous hawks are so big they are mistaken for an eagle

[@tomtalker2000]

It's because Falcons have a "tomial tooth" or notch on the upper mandible. Allowing them to sever the spinal cord. Killing there prey instantly.

[@maksymnovytskyi8786]

Ben, thank You for informations, we are watchin You from central of Europe, Slovakia

[@benwoodrufffalconry]

Great to hear from you! Thank you so much for watching!

[@freebirdofreason1994]

Again, a top full of information video, cheers🍺

[@ilanbergeron3932]

Thanks for doing it!!! I really wanted it

[@dlaughlin9]

Thank you for this one Ben. I absolutely love ferruginous hawks and desperately want to fly one. @Ben Woodruff is there anyway I could contact you to pick your brain about acquiring one? I live in southern Colorado and a trip to Utah is no biggie. I think your populations are better there. Would really appreciate it 🙏😀 I’m a second year apprentice. Think about next year maybe

[@Conan_Obrien]

Hi Ben - you mentioned the "booted" legs. What purpose does this serve for ferruginous hawks or golden eagles? Just curious why some raptors have this trait while others don't. Thanks!

[@benwoodrufffalconry]

After the Pleistocene, many species have spread throughout the world and taken over new territories while leaving or dying off in their regions of origin. Usually I hear biologists say that booting is an adaptation for cold weather living. This makes sense for species like rough legs. Golden eagles also originate in colder climes but have spread to warmer areas and kept their booting. But then people who oppose this theory point out that highly tropical species such as ornate hawk-eagles have booting, so it could have nothing to do with temperature regulation. But I do lean towards that possibility, that Ferruginous hawks have it as a way to retain heat against the frigid winds they face in the open steppes. Oddly, Ferruginous have surprisingly short belly feathers and vent feathers (compared to others like red tails and rough legs) which would normally help warm their feet, but also might overheat them in the summer. Ferrugies often inhabit areas that are among the coldest temps in the USA in the winter and ami g the hottest in the summer so maybe having short lower body feathers while being booted is a way to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

[@Conan_Obrien]

@@benwoodrufffalconry Thanks for the thorough response Ben. It's a joy to learn from a pro.

[@dawienatral7083]

A lot of great info ,ive never seen a ferruginous hawk,in uk or heard of anyone flying one maybe the problems you have explained is why.

[@georgeblanco436]

RTH are so good at surviving, in the east coast they are now in every large park preying on primarily squirrels and pigeons . Also the eastern RTH generally has shorter wings ,larger feet ,longer tail, and larger bill than the western RTH . I can only imagine it has to do with their wooded environment and the most common diurnal rodent species available, tree squirrels.

[@MJ-ct3gv]

Hi Ben, I have yet to watch all of your videos (which I am working on). When you mentioned the books, do you have any that you would specifically recommend for newcomers? Any help greatly appreciated and thanks for another great video. 👍

[@ethanovenell2173]

love how you just spout facts no script need! how does a haris hawk compare to a red tail. i was wondering if there was someway i could contact you to learn more about falconry. as you mentioned in the video i have flown a grasshopper buzzard before, but she was shot before i could actually hunt with her. i live in an area where nobody has really ever heard of falconry so i have learned everything from KZbin (mostly your channel since most others just show the hunting and don't actually talk about the training and all the other things that go along with that).

[@Aprenticefalconer]

I’m in Tennessee and I was wondering if you know any falconers from my state. I love your videos and becoming a falconer has been a dream of mine since I was litle

[@duncanosborne4469]

hi ben i love your vids great information im from the uk,theres no requirement here for anyone here too sit an apprenticeship in falconry as a beginner which i think there should be as there are far too many people getting into it and have no where too fly it. but can you do a vid on your mews set up if possible

[@Muttsist]

Quick question. Have you been to Dry Bar Comedy Club in Provo? Since you're in Utah I thought I'd ask for an audience members perspective.

[@alanfaulkner5266]

Ben, what raptor species do you think is most plausible to take a wild turkey (meleagris gallopavo)? Falconers hunt large game like cranes, geese, deer, and boars but not turkeys. Why not? Perch a (insert Large raptor here) above you in a tree then call in the turkeys or release it from a ground blind once you've already called in the turkeys. That's been a fun dream to ponder for a couple decades now. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge, Cheers.

[@benwoodrufffalconry]

For me personally I’d only really feel safe doing it with a golden eagle or maybe a large female Finnish goshawk. That being said, I know people back East flying female red tails who have taken them and also both with female American and female Finnish goshawks. But the coolest was at the 2007 NAFA meet (I was running the bird yard) and one falconer had his white female gyr falcon take out a Turkey….. and it was on thanksgiving day! He brought her back to weather in the bird yard and him and his friends regaled us with the tale. If I remember right it was an extremely low pitch. Like 80 feet then going into direct pursuit. If you were going to try it from a blind though, I think you would need the explosive speed of a goshawk and would just have to rush in as fast as possible.

[@makesen]

For many years I have been watching a pair of nesting birds of prey on the UVU campus. It has been heartwarming to watch their young begin to fly out of the nest each spring. In the past I have thought that these were golden eagles because of the huge size of the birds, and their eagle-like call. However, yesterday I watched the adult pair fly around the tall trees and into the nest and noticed that their belly and underwings are light colored. This does not seem to match with the golden eagle coloring. Since you are from Utah, you may be well aware of this old nesting site. I wonder are these Ferruginous Hawks or possibly Red Tail Hawks? They are so huge that I didn't think a hawk could be that large, but now, upon hearing your description, think that they might well be. What do you think?

[@davidvandruff9368]

Would it be possible to get links to both of the Road to Bakersfield and Yuba cities videos? I tried looking them up and found nothing. I live in So. Cal and would love to connect if possible.

[@georgeblanco436]

Try “rampage hunting rabbits. “

[@georgeblanco436]

California hawking club road to bakers field

[@davidvandruff9368]

@@georgeblanco436 thank you I found it. Super cool!

[@birdman5197]

Do more ben recomends.

[@NotSure177]

New to the channel, just subscribed. I'm a birder not a falconer, but really like the videos. We had an ABA first bat falcon this year down in Texas. Do you know anything about them. They seem similar in size to kestrels and merlin's but those are very different birds. The falconry perspective seems much more detailed and intimate then the clinical and objective birder point of view, I'd be interested to hear what you have to say.

[@keerthivasannambiraju955]

What the freaking hell is ABA?

[@NotSure177]

@@keerthivasannambiraju955 American Birding Association

[@Henry-hy3bd]

I was wondering if anyone knows if Illinois is a good place for falconry. I feel like there are just so many fields it’s not the best place for it but I would like to know what an experienced falconer would think.

[@oldschoolhawking8191]

I have a question Ben, where do you get your footage?🎥🤔

[@benwoodrufffalconry]

Almost everything I use is footage of my own. My birds past or present, friends birds, and wild birds. But I also get a few shots when I need something specific from Shutterstock. It gets pricy fast. Usually it is $75-$150 for each 15 second clip. I don’t usually have to rely much on them. But sometimes it is extremely necessary. Like when tons of people wanted me to make the red shouldered hawk video, I didn’t have any clips of them and spent a small fortune buying stock video clips of red shoulders. My bank account was not happy that month.

[@benwoodrufffalconry]

And I pay the price now for the fact that over the years I almost never filmed anything. I was just out flying. So now since I have started trying to be more intentional about this channel, I constantly shoot B roll every where I go to build up a library of bird footage and drone footage.

[@oldschoolhawking8191]

First of all Ben, that's some impressive camera work, professional grade. As for Red Shouldered Hawks, here in Northern California you can't walk 20 ft without getting your ear drums blown out by their "God Awful" screaming, LOL!

[@eleeshafisher3998]

Is this female falconers name Paige? I know a woman who has a lovely male ferruginous that I’ve talked to a bit about them, but I’d love to find others who work with them as I’d love to get one eventually.

[@lourogalle7913]

They are not a Buteo..they are Hieraateus

[@diacanthusreef3609]

If we are comparing oddballs for respective groupings of raptors, Surnia ulula Northern Hawk Owl (caparoch subspecies in North America) would be an interesting one considering the species' anatomical & behavioral differences between other Strigidae owls. Its capabilities compared to Cooper's Hawks would be an even more esoteric curiousity given the whole Hawk Owl thing its got going; frequent enough comparisons made between the two from a predatory ecological niche/form-factor standpoint, but from a falconry conditioning/capabilities standpoint? Day-tripping OWL larping as a hawk vs the feathered rattlesnake 😂 They are legal in Canada & Alaska and given they are holarctic in distribution, I imagine someone somewhere has some input from personal experience.

[@vadimpm1290]

Bearing in mind the anatomical and physiological characteristics of NHO, we must remember that it is an enlarged and somewhat specialized representative of the general lineаge of pygmy owls (Glaucidium), although classified in a separate genus.

[@jacygreen9520]

Im ok with looseing the last name on things like that's a red tail ok that's ferrugnouse that's coopers around certain people but I go with the that's red tailed hawk otherwise the big letter books on birds of prey is the type of information I value even more informative books depic in that manner that red tailed hawk and thats a Harris hawk both hawks and that a para beuto and that's a beato but around certain people I'm mind ful about useing just the first name like bold eagle can be just be bold witch isn't some thibg I do alout but I'm a falconer and keep my eye out for birds comuning and I think to myselve it's red tail also in my mind there's a difference between a red tailed with dee infesis is devil a satanic bird and red tail is not the Satan and I was the gang unit and the devil worshiping thing I've come across sevrol times and a red tailed hawk for exsample when was picking up my Harris hawk at air port at night and wile waiting a person obvousley worships the devil is trying overwhelm me so I haft to leave my bird there and earlyer a red tailed hawk landing at the same time I drove by connecting and later that night that type of shady person was trying to do that I've problem with sponceeship I that he did worship the devil and named a red tail deos that means god in Spanish and not red tails are connected to that very well natured bird but thats the force they connect to and that's something I have to mindful of not that often but a couple times also male kestrels because I injoy flying a female kestrel so also I have diffention of kestrel is difftent than a American kestrel also my faveright bird is a ferrugnouse tailed Harris hybrid and getting a Harris ferrignouse hybrid to lay a egg is complicated and the male of that is red tail and female mom bird is ferrugnouse Harris the effert to produce that bird takes a type of timing and conditions that gives me solid karma in the invierment in nashville I'm in I can't use luck at I'm a path and I know the path is eternal and I also know my future is inprinted and use iron rod thing in the book of Mormon and it's fun in certain but it temperie is why I'm ok with it will get better you have southern very country type people than every one else is foren or black and I still managed to get a desent house and car and truck useing falconry and this is very much a crow erea and I haft deal with that kind of herrasment daily and it's fun becuse I study and know why things accure like game in the woods and it's molding me into a very suffent officer one day and it's being deprived alout things becuse its also exsposer of nature secrets so it's ok I'm sure one day I'll have girl freind and it's work it's selve but I have fun you that's what it looks like but that's not what it is and part of being a hawk is to not loose focus on what it really is even it looks like death final it's game and asking questions like how life started or how it exsited has no scientific exsplanation you can make a liveing thing not hair stran not finger nail or a feather nor can you create or build the rebirth accureqnce the question has no beging or end and the answer dosnt exsist it's always Ben there and always be there and raptor or bird of prey is as powerful and deadly as nature can get any where in worlds with out end and music worlds with out end are getting that and that makes people behave word earths the center of the unverse KZbin is that same milltery records same with holly wood movies.

[@remyogun8270]

The Short-Tailed Hawk is like a mini Red-tailed Hawk. Not sure, but it may be the smallest buteo?🤔