The Harris’s hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) is a bird of prey belonging to the Accipitridae family. This species is characterized by its life in open, semi-arid areas in America and by its social behavior, which is unusual among birds of prey.

General characteristics

Harris’s hawk measures between approximately 46 and 59 cm in length and has a wingspan of around 100 to 120 cm. Males usually weigh between ~600 and 1,000 g, while females can reach ~700 to 1,200 g. Its plumage is dark brown with rufous-red shoulders and a visible white band at the end of its tail. Females and males are similar in appearance, although the female is generally larger.

Feeding

It feeds mainly on small mammals (such as rabbits and rodents), birds, and reptiles. It uses both flight and ground pursuit to capture its prey.

Distribution

This species ranges from the southwestern United States, through Mexico and Central America, to parts of South America. It lives in varied habitats such as semi-arid areas, shrubby savannas, forest edges, and even urban environments with open spaces.

Behaviour

It is one of the few birds of prey that exhibits cooperative social behavior: several individuals hunt together, share tasks, and feed the young. They form stable family groups, defend territory, and establish internal hierarchies.

Reproduction

Harris’s hawk nests in trees, tall cacti, or man-made structures. It usually lays between 2 and 4 eggs per clutch. The incubation period lasts around 30-40 days, and it takes a few weeks for the young to fledge and continue learning to hunt with the adults.

Did you know?

It can hunt in packs, just like wolves do, which allows it to take down larger prey than would be possible for a single individual.

This bird of prey even adapts to urban areas, where it can use electricity towers or poles as perches from which to observe and hunt.

Females are significantly larger than males, a typical case of sexual dimorphism in birds of prey.

Threats

Although the species is not critically endangered, it faces threats such as habitat loss, electrocution when perching on electrical infrastructure, and declining prey populations in some areas.

Conservation status

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Harris’s hawk is classified as “Least Concern,” indicating that it does not face an immediate risk of extinction.