Bird · GBIF taxon 2480410
Harris's Hawk
Parabuteo unicinctusAlso known as Bay-Winged Hawk, Dusky Hawk, Peuco
Harris's hawks are unique among raptors for hunting in cooperative family groups, earning them the nickname wolves of the air. Working in small packs, they take turns flushing cottontails and jackrabbits from dense brush or perching in stacks atop tall saguaro cacti. Adults feature striking dark brown plumage contrasted by chestnut-red shoulders and thighs, finished with a broad white tail tip.
SocialPredatoryDesert
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Desert Cottontail
- Black-tailed Jackrabbit
- Gambel's Quail
Predators
- Great Horned Owl
- Coyote
- Golden Eagle
ThreatsElectrocution on power lines, habitat loss
HabitatsDeserts, arid scrublands, savannahs, semi-open country
Life span10–15 years in wild, up to 30 years in captivity
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyAccipitridae
- SpeciesParabuteo unicinctus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Sharp talons and beak can cause injury if handled; observe from a safe distance.
- Why it is dangerous
- Equipped with powerful talons and a sharp hooked beak capable of inflicting deep puncture wounds or lacerations.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Identified by chestnut-red shoulders and thighs contrasting with a dark brown body and white-banded tail.
- What to do
- Observe from a distance and avoid approaching nests or grounded birds without rehabilitation expertise.
Responsible observation
- Look High: Scan tall cacti and utility poles where family groups often perch together.
- Observe Socially: Watch for cooperative hunting tactics where birds take turns driving prey.
- Keep Distance: Give active nests plenty of space to avoid disturbing breeding pairs.
Competitor Buteo_jamaicensis_1.jpg: Alan Vernon derivative work: Berichard (talk) / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Habitat Neighbor 
Co-Occurring Raptor "Cooper's Hawk - immature" by Kaaren Perry is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.