Harris's Hawk
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Harris's Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) or Harris Hawk is basically a neotropical hawk that shares some physical and behavioral characteristics with the temperate Buteo species.
They are large residents of the Southwest that tend to be social hunters. Their prey consists of small mammals, reptiles and birds.
The rufous and brown wings, along with the yellow bill and legs make them easy to distinguish from other hawk species.
A Department of Agriculture publication from 1893 reported,
"This species, like other Hawks of the same class, does very little damage to poultry or beneficial birds. The nest is placed indifferently in bushes among the long leaves of the Spanish bayonet (yucca) or in trees to the height of 40 or 50 feet. The eggs, which are usually two or three in number, are deposited in the first or second week in April and the young make their appearance early in May. Both birds assist in incubating the eggs as well as in securing food for the young."
Their habits have changed little during the past one hundred plus years.
© 2007 Patricia A. Michaels