A medium-sized hawk that hunts cooperatively in family groups — unique among US raptors.

Also called: Bay-winged Hawk, Wolf Hawk

Native status: Native; southwestern US into South America

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 46–59 cm (18–23 in); wingspan 1.0–1.2 m
WeightMales 550–800 g; females 750–1,200 g
LifespanWild 10–12 years; captive 25+
OrderAccipitriformes
FamilyAccipitridae

§ Encyclopedia

Harris's hawk, formerly also known as the bay-winged hawk or dusky hawk, and known in Latin America as the peuco, is a medium-large bird of prey that breeds from the southwestern United States south to Chile, central Argentina, and Brazil.

Source: Wikipedia — Harris's hawk Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Medium hawk: chocolate brown body with rich chestnut shoulders and thighs; white base and tip of tail (banded); yellow legs and cere.

Similar species. Red-shouldered Hawk (different range, banded tail). Common Black Hawk (broader wings, single white tail band).

Voice. Harsh raspy "kreer" calls during cooperative hunting.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Cottontails, jackrabbits, ground squirrels, woodrats, lizards, quail.

Behavior. The ONLY North American raptor that hunts cooperatively. Family groups of 2–7 birds work together: some flush prey while others ambush. This unusual social behavior makes Harris's Hawks favored by falconers worldwide. Permanent residents of southwestern desert thornscrub; pairs maintain territory year-round.

§ Range

Southwestern US, Mexico

§ Habitat

Desert thornscrub

§ Threats

Habitat loss, climate change.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the harris's hawk is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Support southwestern habitat conservation.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Cornell Lab — All About Birds
  • The Peregrine Fund
  • Arizona Game and Fish Department
  • IUCN Red List 2018