The Ferruginous hawk is the largest Buteo (buzzard) species with a body length of 51–69 cm. It thrives in open landscapes, dry grasslands, semi-deserts and deserts. Unlike other buzzards, it often sits on the ground, for example outside a rodent's burrow waiting for the prey to appear. However, hunting from a high position, as in this picture, a pole, is the most common strategy. The prey includes, in addition to rodents, birds, reptiles and even larger insects. This species occurs in almost all of western North America (from southern Canada to central Mexico). The first part of the English name "Ferruginous hawk" comes from the Latin word for 'rust' and alludes to the Ferruginous hawk's rust-colored wings.