Beneficial Management Practices for Saskatchewan Species at Risk: Ferruginous Hawk Threatened

Beneficial Management Practices for Saskatchewan Species at Risk:Ferruginous HawkThreatened

Large hawk with long broad wings and broad, gray, rusty or white tail • Pale head, neck and underparts • Rusty on the upperparts, on the underwing and legs • In flight look for a “rusty diaper” Randy McCulloch

Nest in isolated trees or on rocky edges in large, open native prairie or uncultivated pastureland • Will nest on ground if trees are scarce • Eats mainly Richardson’s ground squirrels and other small mammals as well as voles, mice and rabbits

Located in the southern portion of the province Status: Threatened Declined due habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation, disturbance from human activities and poisoning from small mammal control Estimated 500 of pairs in Saskatchewan

Beneficial Management Practices Habitat Size Maintain at least 640 acres (259 ha) or one section of native prairie

Grazing Avoid grazing on native prairie between march to late May or even July 15th if possible Create a variability of grass heights and litter in pastures Restrict grazing in woody and riparian areas by fencing off or using salt blocks and watering sites

Woody Vegetation Maintain woody areas including dead trees, shelterbelts and lone trees Replace dead trees with native species

Management of Burrowing Mammals Tolerate Richardson’s ground squirrels if not causing excessive damage If poisoning ground squirrels, delay until November through March

Human Activity Do not approach a nest between March 15 and July 15 within the following setback distances: 500m for low activity 750m for medium activity 1,000m for high activity

Beneficial Management Practices for Saskatchewan Species at Risk: Ferruginous Hawk Threatened