Abstract
Hunting methods used by 2 adult male ferruginous hawks [Buteo regalis] in southern Idaho [USA] were studied during the nesting seasons of 1974 and 1975. The birds hunted from a perch, from the ground, from low-altitude (active) flight and from high-altitude (soaring) flight. The hawks captured prey on 16.6% of their strikes, but their success ratios varied significantly with hunting method. Each bird struck about 7 times per hour of hunting time and caught about 1 prey item per hour. The hawks'' use of hunting methods seemed to be related to the number of captures they made per unit of energy expended.