Plumage of adult birds is extremely variable. Has pale, dark and rufous phases. Upper parts dark brown with rusty feather margins. Under parts with broad band of cinnamon or russet across breast, throat white, abdomen buffy-white with sides usually barred with brown. In dark phase, upper and under parts are brownish-black. In rufous phase, under parts are washed and barred with reddish brown. Total length is 47-56 cm. Females slightly larger than males. (Godfrey, 1986).

British Columbia: Breeds mainly in the Thompson-Okanagan Plateau; from Princeton and Anarchist Mountain north to the northern Okanagan and Thompson River valleys; also locally in the Bulkley Basin. The majority of records are from the southern interior where breeding is concentrated in the Nicola Valley, the north Okanagan, and the plateau east of Osoyoos (Cannings et al. In prep.).

Global: Breeds from sc. British Columbia, c. Alberta, c. Saskatchewan, s. Manitoba, and Minnesota south throughout the Great Plains and s. Rocky Mountains to California, n. Mexico, and Missouri; locally in the Yukon and nw. British Columbia. Winters primarily on the pampas of n. Argentina, s. Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil. Occasionally, individuals remain throughout Latin American and into the s. United States (Cannings et al. In prep.).

Open, dry plains, mountain valleys and foothills. Breeds mainly in open areas such as grasslands, savannahs, open woodlands, and farmlands. Typically nests in scattered trees in riparian areas, planted shelter belts, wetland borders, abandoned farmyards or prairie bluffs. In British Columbia, breeds in open woodlands with mixed forests and groves adjacent to grasslands, farmlands and wetlands. Has been recorded breeding at elevations between 335 and 975 m (but nests at higher elevations in some areas), generally in upland areas of foothills and valleys (Cannings et al. In prep.).

Current populations are low compared to historical accounts. Recent trends are unknown, but populations are likely declining. Continued shooting and pesticide poisoning in Argentina suggest numbers could decline there, but it is unknown if birds from British Columbia winter in Argentina. Most breeding habitat within its provincial range is privately owned, making protection difficult. Some nests are on Crown lands. Shooting and pesticide use in the winter range continues to threaten population numbers. In British Columbia, the loss of grassland habitat to urban sprawl and agriculture, and current pesticide control measures that reduce prey abundance, have been attributed to population declines. Forest encroachment into grasslands (a result of fire suppression) may also be a threat. (Cannings et al. In prep.).

Feeds mainly on small mammals including voles, Deer Mice, groundsquirrels, and pocket gophers, but also eats large numbers of insects such as grasshoppers. Small birds, bats, rabbits, reptiles, amphibians and Muskrats are also taken. In British Columbia, the main spring movement occurs in late April and early May. After nesting, most birds migrate south by late August and early September. Nests are usually found near the tops of ponderosa pine, black cottonwood and trembling aspen. Clutches usually contain 2 or 3 eggs and incubation lasts 4 - 5 weeks. Fledgling period is 6-7 weeks, and occurs in British Columbia during August. Humans and possibly Great-Horned Owls are the only predators for adults, while corvids, Raccoons, and large birds of prey affect egg and young survivorship (Cannings et al. In prep.).