Which is recognized as the largest and heaviest of the North American hawks?

The Ferruginous hawk is recognized as the largest and heaviest of the North American hawks. This bird boasts a wingspan that can reach up to 56 inches and can weigh as much as 4.5 pounds, making it significant in size compared to other hawk species in the region. Ferruginous hawks are characterized by their distinctive color variations, with a rich, rusty coloration on their back and legs, and they have long, broad wings and a short tail, which are adaptations suited for their hunting style and preferred open habitats like grasslands and desert plateaus.

In contrast, while the red-tailed hawk is a well-known and widespread species, it is not as large or heavy as the Ferruginous hawk. The Gyrfalcon, though a large falcon, is not categorized as a hawk. Peale's falcon is also a smaller bird and, like the Gyrfalcon, does not belong to the hawk family. This contextualization around the Ferruginous hawk helps to highlight its status as the largest and heaviest hawk in North America.