Looking for the legacy site? Click here

Harris's Hawk

Parabuteo unicinctus


Hawk Like

Harris's Hawk thumbnail
Length: 20 in. (51 cm )

A resident of open lowland areas, riparian woodlands and adjacent desert, the Harris\'s Hawk is usually obvious as it sits on the top of a saguaro cactus or tall cottonwood snag. It also does a moderate amount of soaring as the warm thermals form at mid-day. Females frequently mate with two male at the same time, and grown juveniles from the previous nesting often help feed the young. These groups of hawks hunt in a wolf pack style. One individual chases a rabbit, squirrel or medium-sized bird prey into the waiting talons of the other members of the \pack\. The nest is a large platform of sticks and twigs lined with green leaves, grass and roots and placed in a large cactus, yucca mesquite, or cottonwood. Because of its social behavior, the Harris\'s Hawk has become one of the most popular hawks used in the sport of falconry. It is much easier to train and handle than most other species of hawks, falcons and eagles.

The four-digit banding code is HRSH.


You may need to edit author's name to meet the style formats, which are in most cases "Last name, First name."
https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/harriss-hawk

Bibliographic details:

  • Article: Harris's Hawk
  • Author(s): Dr. Biology
  • Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
  • Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
  • Date published: 13 Jul, 2017
  • Date accessed:
  • Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/harriss-hawk

APA Style

Dr. Biology. (Thu, 07/13/2017 - 15:37). Harris's Hawk. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/harriss-hawk

American Psychological Association. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

Chicago Manual of Style

Dr. Biology. "Harris's Hawk". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/harriss-hawk

MLA 2017 Style

Dr. Biology. "Harris's Hawk". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/harriss-hawk

Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/
What is Biomimicry?

Be Part of
Ask A Biologist

By volunteering, or simply sending us feedback on the site. Scientists, teachers, writers, illustrators, and translators are all important to the program. If you are interested in helping with the website we have a Volunteers page to get the process started.

Donate icon  Contribute

Share this page