And to think that we thought Red-tailed Hawk nests take a lot of work to build. A typical red-tail nest pales in comparison to this one.
Yesterday I closed my post with an observation about how much work was involved for a pair of Red-tailed Hawks to build their nest and several readers made similar statements in their comments. But the amount of work and building materials required for red-tails to build their nest pales in comparison to that required for Ferruginous Hawks.
I’ve posted a photo of this Ferrug nest in the past but this one is new to my blog.
This is one of the two largest hawk nests I’ve ever seen and both of them were Ferrug nests in Montana’s Centennial Valley. It’s even larger than it looks but the single chick helps to provide scale for estimating size (there were actually three chicks in the bowl of the nest).
Ferruginous Hawks are the largest and most powerful buteos in North America but I still marvel that they can fly while carrying some of these huge branches. But historically they’re known for using bison and pronghorn bones for nest construction so perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised. This nest and other Ferrug nests I’ve seen dwarf any red-tail nest I’ve encountered, by a very large margin.
This nest has likely been used by Ferrugs for generations with each new pair building on top of the old nest. The ‘sticks’ used by Ferrugs for nest construction are so large their nests tend to last for many decades. When Mike Shaw, a member of the Board of Trustees of HawkWatch International and a good friend, saw one of my photos of this particular nest he made the following observation:
- “There’s almost as much character in the structures as there is in their inhabitants. Unlike more transient Swainson’s or Red-tailed nests, coming upon a massively built old Ferrug nest evokes the same kind of thoughts I get while pondering an ancient Anasazi or Fremont dwelling. How many generations were raised here? What became of them? What dramas played out in there? If only those sticks could talk…”
If those sticks could talk I’d love to hear their stories.
Ron
Note: Mike Shaw played a significant role in helping us to get Galileo, the fledgling Short-eared Owl I had to cut out of barbed wire, to rehab in a timely manner. That incident occurred on Father’s Day morning, a Sunday, so without his help Galileo may never have survived. I’ll be forever grateful to Mike for his selfless efforts.
In the end the little owl couldn’t be released back into the wild so today, nearly five years later, he still lives a pampered life as an education bird for HawkWatch International. HWI named him Galileo. Blog follower and friend Tana Peery Hunter is a volunteer at HWI and she helps to care for Galileo. Thank you, Tana!
That little bobblehead! 😍😍😍😍😍 In that HUGE nest! What a beautiful architectural masterpiece.
Thanks, Marty.
Nest building is one my favorite and most fascinating things about birds. And boy this nest is a beautiful work of art ❗️
Thanks to ALL of you who were in the right place & right time to save Galileo 😍
It was a team effort, Diana. Thanks.
Surely that nest deserves a National Historic Monument designation plaque! The nest reminds me of pack rat middens. Some go back for centuries and can be excavated to research historical changes in vegetation species and relative abundance.
“Surely that nest deserves a National Historic Monument designation plaque!”
Mikal, now that just might be a great idea!
Gives new meaning to “this house has good bones”, doesn’t it?! Great pic of that little bird and that giant nest, Ron.
It sure does. Thanks, Ellen.
Now that is a McMansion. A truly impressive structure.
It is five years since Galileo was rescued? Really?
Huge thanks to Mike, to you and Mia and to Tana.
Yup, it’ll be 5 years on the 19th of June. Thanks, EC.
What a spectacular nest that is — and bonus to have an adorbs little chick sitting up in the middle of it (with what looks like a good size crop)! I wonder if the parents were eyeing you as you photographed it (though I assume you were a good deal farther away than it appears here)?
I “met” Galileo last summer during a HawkWatch Zoom session — he’s a very special little owl, and so grateful to you and all who helped ensure his survival.
You’re right, Chris. I wasn’t close to the nest. I photographed it with my super telephoto lens from inside my pickup on a road and this photo has been cropped significantly.
After writing this post I got to thinking about Galileo. This morning I had to be in the area of HWI headquarters so on impulse I stopped in to see Galileo and some of my friends there but they had the doors locked, probably due to Covid-19.
I wish I’d known about that Zoom session…
‘massive’ – yes it is!! reminds me of a stork’s nest in structure and size yet it’s low. Love the word of the day ‘depredation.’ Thank you and Mike for saving Galileo.
Glad you enjoyed the new word. Thanks, Kathleen.
Five years ago for Galileo? It doesn’t seem that long at all. I’m glad to hear an update on him! And that nest is huge. I am now wondering if the nest I see in a spot near here is a Ferrigunous nest. I keep meaning to take binoculars with me.
Arwen, it sure doesn’t seem like that long. Let us know if your nest turns out to be a Ferrug nest.
Jaw-dropping amazing! 😲 Yes, IF they could talk………😀 A wonder the chicks don’t get “lost” or “stuck” in it – must be smoother inside.
Glad Galileo is thriving as best he can……😍
“must be smoother inside”
It is, Judy. According to Cornell Ferrugs line their nests with ” (cow) dung and grass sod or stubble, bark, forbs, or leafed sprigs”.
The nest looks like something a Hobbit might have built. If I had come across it without the chick atop i would have puzzled over what creature might have built such a huge pile of sticks on the ground.
P.S. Thanks for cutting the barbed wire.
Lyle, one of the ranchers complained bitterly when I told him I’d cut the wire for an owl, even when I offered to pay for the cost of repair. But now, almost 5 years later, the wire I cut still hasn’t been repaired. I check it every time I’m in the area, which is often.
Incredible, and thanks for sharing. I’ve never seen a nest like this even with eagles. I’m curious if being in the open and easily spotted, is the family not unsafe from eagles? The only horned owl nest & chicks I saw in my neighborhood had feathers of red-shouldered hawk at the base of the tree.
Elmer, Cornell says this about depredation on Ferruginous Hawk nests – “Few documented incidences of nest depredation”. However they do mention a few incidences of Great Horned Owls depredating nestlings and fledglings and a single instance of an adult Ferrug being killed by a pair of Golden Eagles.
What a remarkable nest. I have seen many eagle’s nests, but never anything like this. Trying to figure out where it is – top of shrubs, a tree, on the ground?
Having the little chick really allows you to understand just how large it is.
Really like your friend Mike Shaw’s very literary paragraph, “How many generations were raised here? What became of them? What dramas played out in there? If only those sticks could talk …..”
Thanks for sharing this with us.
Everett, this nest was originally built at the top of a large, low bush. But as the nest grew over the years it pretty much engulfed the entire bush, nearly to the ground..
That is an amazing nest. I have not seen a Ferruginous nest, I hope to do more exploring in the Great Basin this year, I will watch for them. I have a feeling the nests will be in the high crags of those rugged mountains. Galileo’s life and story have touched many. He has become a special ambassador.
April, historically many of not most Ferrug nests were built on the ground but with the settlement of the west more of them are built in low shrubs or trees. Hope you find some.
As you can imagine I have a huge soft spot for Galileo.
Ron – Reading some of the comments I came upon the Galileo reference so I went back and read that part that I initially missed. Kudos for you for taking the time to do that and saving that little guy’s life. I would have done the same as I am sure all your followers would have. I can’t believe the rancher would be ticked off by your actions especially when you took the time to apologize and offer to pay. So this guy would have been ok to just let the little owl die there trapped in the wire? I would think a rancher whose whole life is about animals would have a heart for any injured creature.
“I can’t believe the rancher would be ticked off”
Everett, when I told him I’d cut the wire he said something to me very similar to this – “You cut the fence for an owl??! We hit them on the road all the time.”
Love your stories and photos, here’s an old story from my blog about saving an owl .. . https://lalaironwheels.blogspot.com/2016/09/southern-wisconsin.html
Thanks, Terri.