Ferruginous hawks in decline
Canaries can keep their mines. When it comes to indicating threats to the living desert, look to the ferruginous hawk.
These amazing raptors favor wild, open desert country like that found near in southeast Washington. They favor undeveloped, open terrain. But these big birds are in danger. They numbers are in decline, in large part because their food and their homes are being destroyed.
ORV’s have driving off, or destroyed, much of the prey base around the desert country in which hte hawks hunt. And development continues to push in on the home terrain in which hte hawks live.
There are other species that do well around human developing – including the majestic redtail hawk – but the ferruginous deserves its place in the world, too. The decline of this shy raptor tells us a lot about ourselves and our world. We must respond to the challenge before us and work to restore the habitat and health of this species. I
Ferruginous hawks in decline – Mid-Columbia News | Tri-City Herald : Mid-Columbia news.
