# Harris's Hawk (*Parabuteo unicinctus*) Harris's Hawks are special birds that like to hunt in groups. They have beautiful brown feathers and a unique white tail. These birds are smart and can even learn to do tricks! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Desert - **Also known as:** Harris Hawk ![Harris's Hawk](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Harris's_Hawk_%28Parabuteo_unicinctus%29_3_of_4_in_set.jpg&width=800) Photo: Alan Vernon, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Harris's_Hawk_%28Parabuteo_unicinctus%29_3_of_4_in_set.jpg) ## Appearance The Harris's Hawk is a medium-large hawk with a striking dark brown body, reddish-brown shoulder patches (rufous 'leggings'), and a distinctive white tail base and tip. Its underwings also show rufous coloring, making it visually different from many other dark raptors. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Accipitriformes - **Family:** Accipitridae - **Genus:** Parabuteo ## Interesting facts - A group of Harris's Hawks has a special name: a 'cast' of hawks! - Harris's Hawks are the only raptors known to hunt consistently in cooperative family groups. - These smart birds sometimes perch on each other's backs to get a better view. - They often reuse their stick nests year after year, building them bigger each time. ## Special abilities - **Teamwork Hunting:** Harris's Hawks can hunt in groups because they coordinate movements to flush and capture prey together. - **Relay Pursuit:** Harris's Hawks have a unique system of passing prey pursuit between individuals that helps them tire out fast-moving animals. - **Agile Navigation:** Harris's Hawks can fly skillfully through dense brush that helps them chase and catch quick prey in challenging habitats. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 45-59 cm - **Wingspan:** 106-120 cm - **Weight:** 0.7-1.2 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-25 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-4 - **Incubation:** 31-36 days ## Diet & Feeding These skilled hunters feast on a variety of small animals found in their desert and scrubland homes. - **Primary Foods:** Desert Cottontails, Jackrabbits, Gambel's Quail, Ground squirrels, Lizards, Snakes - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Desert Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus audubonii*) — A primary prey item in its North American range. - **Hunts:** [Gambel's Quail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gambels-quail) (*Callipepla gambelii*) — Often targeted when flushed by cooperative hunting. - **Hunts:** [Western Diamondback Rattlesnake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-diamondback-rattlesnake) (*Crotalus atrox*) — Occasionally preys on snakes, including venomous ones. - **Shelter:** [Prickly Pear Cactus](https://www.snappit.app/explore/prickly-pear-cactus) (*Opuntia engelmannii*) — Often builds nests within the protective spines of cacti. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Tool Use](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tool-use): This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal. - [Desert](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/desert): Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Harris's Hawk? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Harris's Hawk? 45-59 cm ### What is Harris's Hawk's wingspan? 106-120 cm ### How much does Harris's Hawk weigh? 0.7-1.2 kg ### How long does Harris's Hawk live? 10-25 years ### How fast can Harris's Hawk move? 60 km/h ### What does Harris's Hawk eat? These skilled hunters feast on a variety of small animals found in their desert and scrubland homes. ### Where is Harris's Hawk usually found? Desert ## Where to spot - [Cascades Raptor Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cascades-raptor-center) — Oregon, US · Zoo - [Wildlife World Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/wildlife-world-zoo) — Arizona, US · Zoo - [Greifvogelpark Katharinenberg](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/greifvogelpark-katharinenberg) — Bayern, DE · Zoo - [Tierpark Ströhen](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-strohen) — Niedersachsen, DE · Zoo [View all places to see Harris's Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/harriss-hawk) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Harris's Hawk: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/harriss-hawk)