The ferriginous hawk is the largest of the hawk species at 64cm in length and with a wingspan of 1.4m.

It frequents open grasslands, sagebrush flats, desert scrub,
low foothills surrounding valleys, and fringes of pinyon-juniper habitats.  It is a fairly common winter resident of grasslands and agricultural areas in the southwestern United States.

The ferriginous hawk is active during the day, searching for prey from low flights over open, treeless areas, and gliding to intercept prey on the ground. It also hovers and hunts from high mound perches.

This species mostly eats rabbits, ground squirrels, and mice, but also dines on birds, reptiles, and amphibians.