The Four Keys to ID
- Size & Shape
Harris's Hawks are large and lanky raptors with long legs and fairly long tails. They fly on broad, rounded wings. Females weigh nearly twice as much as males.
Relative Size
Larger than a Cooper's Hawk, smaller than a Golden Eagle.
crow-sizedMeasurements
- Both Sexes
- Length: 18.1-23.2 in (46-59 cm)
- Weight: 18.2-31.0 oz (515-880 g)
- Wingspan: 40.5-46.9 in (103-119 cm)
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay Library
- Color Pattern
Harris's Hawks are dark brown overall with reddish brown feathers on the wings and thighs. The tail is mostly dark with a white rump and white terminal band. From below, the inner wings are reddish brown. Immature birds show patches of white on the belly and wings, and have a narrower white band across the bottom of the tail. They also have fine barring on the underwings and tail.
© Joshua Little / Macaulay Library - Behavior
Harris's Hawks perch upright on telephone poles, cactus, posts, or other features that offer a view of the surroundings. They hunt and travel in groups and sometimes even walk or run along the ground when hunting. They soar on rounded wings, frequently fanning their tails.
- Habitat
Harris's Hawks occur in semiopen desert lowlands—often among mesquite, paloverde, saguaro, and organ pipe cactus. They also frequent urban and suburban areas because these areas offer easy access to water and food (pigeons).
© Mike Cameron / Macaulay Library
