Harris' Hawk

Harris’ Hawk 

(Parabuteounicinctus) 

Photographed at Animal Kingdom, Orlando, FL        Mar 2011

The Harris hawk is a mostly brownish-black hawk (18-23") with light brown coloured shoulders and thighs. White is on the rump and base and tip of the long tail. It has a 40-inch wingspan.  Immature hawks look like the adults but are more streaked.

Harris is generally silent but has a low harsh voice. These birds inhabit semi-arid woodland and brush land in scrub with mesquite, saguaro and yucca. Females lay 2-4 whitish spotted brown eggs in a nest built of sticks lined with grass, located low in small brush, cacti or trees.

Located in the southwest United States, south to Argentina, they prey on lizards, jack rabbits, quail, or snakes. The birds hunt in family groups and share the food they take. They have also been known to feed on carrion. 

Go to Hawks

for others