Harris's Hawk
Parabuteo unicinctus
The Harris's Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) is a common kites, old world vultures, eagles, and hawk found in 27 countries, weighing about 850 g. Parabuteo unicinctus is a medium-large bird of prey that breeds from the southwestern United States south to Chile, central Argentina, and Brazil.
About the Harris's Hawk
Parabuteo unicinctus is a medium-large bird of prey that breeds from the southwestern United States south to Chile, central Argentina, and Brazil. It contains two subspecies, the Harris's hawk and the bay-winged hawk. The species is also occasionally referred to as the dusky hawk and known in Latin America as the peuco.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
This medium-large hawk is roughly intermediate in size between a peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) and a red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis). Harris's hawks range in length from 46 to 59 cm (18 to 23 in) and generally have a wingspan of about 103 to 120 cm (41 to 47 in). These hawks have a brownish plumage, reddish shoulders, and tail feathers with a white base and white tip. They exhibit sexual dimorphism with the females being larger by about 35%. In the United States, the average weight for adult males is about 701 g (1.545 lb), with a range of 546 to 850 g (1.204 to 1.
What the Harris's Hawk sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Taiwan, Italy, Portugal, Poland.
When to see it
The Harris's Hawk can be seen all year round, with peak activity in November. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Harris's Hawk?
- This medium-large hawk is roughly intermediate in size between a peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) and a red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Harris's Hawk?
- The Harris's Hawk is a large sized bird weighing about 850 g.
- Where can you see a Harris's Hawk?
- The Harris's Hawk occurs in 27 countries, including the United States, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Mexico.
- What does a Harris's Hawk sound like?
- You can listen to a field recording of the Harris's Hawk on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Harris's Hawk?
- The Harris's Hawk is most easily confused with the Crested Serpent Eagle, the Whistling Kite and the Montagu's Harrier.
- Is the Harris's Hawk endangered?
- The Harris's Hawk is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Harris's Hawk for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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