Harris' Hawk

by Allison Walker

Harris' hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) is uncommon in Oregon, and is found mostly in the Southwestern United States and into South America. They prefer sparse woodland or plains areas, but scientists think they are adapting and moving northwards into more of the United States. We have seen a few come through CWC.

They often hunt in a group of two or more called a cast. Their prey consists of rodents, smaller birds, rabbits, and reptiles. Mr. Audubon, the famous naturalist, first discovered this hawk and named it after his friend who was with him at the time. It is also called the bay-winged hawk.

Like the red-tailed hawk, it builds its nest about 30 feet above the ground out of sticks, roots, and twigs. The young leave the nest after about 40 days.

Harris' hawks are easy to identify from other hawks because of their reddish shoulders and legs, and white band around the end of their black tail feathers. Their head, neck, chest and wings are a very dark brown. The average weight is around 890 grams. They have large, broad wings common to hawks that hunt in open fields. According to falconers, Harris' hawks are very intelligent and can fly above them while looking for prey (rather than tethered to the falconer's hand).