Harris' Hawk is an oddity among the raptors; it is unsuspicious of visitors and often hunts cooperatively. The hawk is 20-23 inches long and on average weighs from 735 to 1047 grams.
Harris' Hawk is almost uniform black, varying in shades. Generally darker on the wings and tail; shoulders are dark brown. The base and tip of the tail are white. The sides of the head may be streaked with white and the beak is yellow. Immatures are more of a uniform brown. The shoulders are chestnut; the back is rusty-brown. Undersides are off-white streaked brown.
Nests are built in trees, cacti or bushes. The nests are built by the female and constructed out of sticks, twigs and dried weeds; they are lined with grass and roots. Breeding season is year round, and while no eggs are usually laid between October and December, many times there are young being tended during this time. 2-4 eggs are laid and are incubated for 33-36 days, by all mates but most incubation is by the female. The nestlings leave the nest and surrounding areas in 43-49 days. As with some raptors, Harris' Hawks may have more than one mate at one time. Notes- Breeding Groups
The Harris' Hawk is also an oddity in hunting habits; when not pursuing prey, it does not fly very fast at all, and is very unsuspicious of visitors. However, when prey is spotted it is very swift and agile. It has never been recorded to perch-hunt or to dive, but prefers chasing the prey close to the ground. Harris' Hawk also hunts cooperatively often. It is not very selective; it will eat small mammals up to the size of jackrabbits, birds, reptiles, insects and amphibians. Notes- Cooperative Hunting
Harris' Hawk prefers dry scrubland and deserts. Found in Southeastern California east to Texas; they are rarely found in Louisiana or near the Mississippi River. Found throughout Mexico and Central America to Panama.
