Threatened and Endangered Species - Recovery Plans Date
Published: August 1996 Number of Pages: 72 Author(s): Scott
Richardson North America's largest buteo, the ferruginous hawk,
exists in low numbers in shrub-steppe and grassland regions of
several eastern Washington counties. The state population,
numbering between 50 and 60 nesting pairs occurs at the
northwest edge of the species' breeding range. The hawk was
listed as State Threatened by Department of Game Policy in 1983.
In 1990, the Washington Wildlife Commission maintained the
ferruginous hawk on the state list of Threatened species, a
subcategory of protected status. The size of the historic
population cannot be determined. In 1997, a statewide population
estimate of 20 pairs was published after nest searches in
specific area. A few years later, an estimate of 40 pairs was
presented after a survey effort concentrating on known
territories. Recently, more comprehensive surveys suggest a
population of 50 to 60 pairs. The proportion of occupied territo