Raptor Ecology
         of the Shrub-Steppe

The FerrugCam is a cooperative project between Washington Dept. of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW), and Woodland Park Zoo (WPZ), supported by Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and the Dept. of Energy (DOE). During the spring of 2004, the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife installed a camera at a ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis) nest site in eastern Washington. Special thanks to Richard McCarthy, John Worden, and Cyrus Reed at LIGO Hanford Observatory from California Institute of Technology, and Bill Erickson, Toby Cossairt, Brent Thompson, and Jacob Henning from BPA, who all enabled the 2009 transmission.

"Snake"
May 28, 2005
Benton County, WA

Mom returns from hunting carrying a snake. When one fledgling is puzzled by the serpent, Mom assists and starts feeding the second youngster.

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" Grooming"
May 30, 2005
Benton County, WA

Mom is preening her feathers when one of the fledglings moves up to her and solicits similar attention. At three weeks of age, the chick only can present down to scratch!

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"Flying Mouse"
May 30, 2005
Benton County, WA

Mom starts calling when Dad arrives overhead. He delivers a mouse, which is quickly devoured by one of the youngsters.

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"Big Snake"
May 30, 2005
Benton County, WA

Mom can be seen calling as she spots Dad returning overhead with food. It’s a big Gopher Snake! Dad delivers, but the fledglings need help from Mom turning it into a meal.

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"Lotsa Food"
June 16, 2005
Benton County, WA

Mom returns with a rodent and a battle ensues between the youngsters. One juvenile wins and mantles (protects) the food. Dad arrives in time with a second mouse for the other youngster.

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"Exercise"
June 16, 2005
Benton County, WA

Both youngsters are exercising. They will fledge from the nest in another 9 days. The vigorous flapping strengthens their muscles.

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"Food Fight"
June 17, 2005
Benton County, WA

The youngsters are begging for food (note their calling). A parent delivers a mouse and each juvenile grabs an end. With all the scuffling it’s not clear who ends up eating!

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"Squabble"
June 22, 2005
Benton County, WA

Mom drops the food as she approaches. The juveniles squabble, and only one gets fed with this delivery.

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"Getting Ready"
June 22, 2005
Benton County, WA

All grown up and ready to fledge. One juvenile is jumping and flapping. They will go out in the next few days.

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Jumping up and down and kiting in the wind above the nest makes the young hawks ready for their maiden voyage out of the nest which will occur on 6/25!

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• Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
• Woodland Park Zoo
• Bonneville Power Administration
• US Department of Energy
• Battelle Pacific Northwest National Laboratories
• Thermosight Inc.