The Harris’s Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) is a big, handsome raptor, which ranges from the southwestern United States through Central America and into much of the drier habitats in South America. They prey on mammals, birds and reptiles. Harris’s Hawks are popular birds used in the sport of falconry.
Unlike most other raptors, which are solitary hunters except when breeding and migrating, Harris’s Hawks will hunt in groups of two to six made up of family members. A small group flies ahead and scouts, alternating with another group member that flies ahead and scouts until prey is caught. At other times, all hawks will encircle the prey while one individual flushes it.
I took the following photograph at The Canadian Raptor Conservancy south of Simcoe, Ontario at Vittoria. The Canadian Raptor Conservancy’s focus is to educate the general public about birds of prey and the important role they play in our natural world.
