| − | The ferruginous hawk is large - in fact, the largest buteonine hawk in North America - with a length of 20 to 27 inches, a wingspan of 48 to 60 inches, and weigh 2 to 5 pounds. Hawks of northern areas are somewhat larger on average than those found in southern or desert areas; females are slightly larger than males. | + | The ferruginous hawk is large - in fact, the largest buteonine hawk in [[North America]] - with a length of 20 to 27 inches, a wingspan of 48 to 60 inches, and weigh 2 to 5 pounds. Hawks of northern areas are somewhat larger on average than those found in southern or desert areas; females are slightly larger than males. |
| | The name ''ferruginous'' comes from the Latin ''ferrugo'', which means "iron rust"<ref>https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ferruginous</ref>, and refers to the rust-colored head, back, and tail of the bird's plumage. The chest, belly, and underwings are lighter in color, with some light-rust mottling and bands on the belly and underwing coverts. A dark-morph coloration exists, with the majority of the bird dark-brown in color, and lighter only on the underside of the primaries, secondaries, and tail feathers. | | The name ''ferruginous'' comes from the Latin ''ferrugo'', which means "iron rust"<ref>https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ferruginous</ref>, and refers to the rust-colored head, back, and tail of the bird's plumage. The chest, belly, and underwings are lighter in color, with some light-rust mottling and bands on the belly and underwing coverts. A dark-morph coloration exists, with the majority of the bird dark-brown in color, and lighter only on the underside of the primaries, secondaries, and tail feathers. |