Harris' Hawk

Parabuteo unicinctus

Also known as:Harris Hawk, Bay-winged Hawk, Dusky Hawk, Bay-winged Hawk

Explore this bird

Identification

53 cm (21") Rare. Arizona, New Mexico, Texas. Mesquite brushland, desert.

Dark brown with chestnut shoulders, wing linings, and leggings. Long tail with white at base and tip. White rump.

Details in the field

4 photos

Credit: Liz Jones

Credit: Larry Meade

Credit: Mark Watson

Watch and learn

2 videos

Harris Hawk

Credit: souris40

Harris Hawk

Credit: Paul Dinning

Where it lives

Source legend · original intervals

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Unshaded in source · does not imply absence

Generic and winter maps may use different intervals.

Bird Advisor Identification rules 2 variants 4 rules

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

2 rules

Rule 1 14 criteria confidence 1

Where was the white seen in flight ?: On the undertail coverts · On the head, neck, and/or tail · On the rump or lower back · Unknown
Did the bird show conspicuous or promient white in flight ?: Yes · Unknown
How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: In flight
What SHAPE were the wings ?: Rounded · Unknown
What SIZE was the TAIL ?: Medium · Long · Unknown
What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?: Light band at the tip · Broad dark band across the tip · Unknown
What colour was the BELLY ?: Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Uniform color
What colour was the BREAST ?: Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Crow-sized · Goose-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Southwestern United States

result:430-harris-hawk:1:1 Source: 430 Harris' Hawk, row 1

Rule 2 11 criteria confidence 1

How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: While landed
What colour was the BACK ?: Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Uniform color · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Crow-sized · Goose-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Southwestern United States

result:430-harris-hawk:2:1 Source: 430 Harris' Hawk, row 2

2 rules

Rule 1 14 criteria confidence 1

Where was the white seen in flight ?: On the wings and underbody · Mainly on the wings · Over the entire bird · Unknown
Did the bird show conspicuous or promient white in flight ?: Yes · Unknown
How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: In flight
What SHAPE were the wings ?: Rounded · Unknown
What SIZE was the TAIL ?: Medium · Long · Unknown
What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?: Light band at the tip · Dark and light bands across it · Broad dark band across the tip · Unknown
What colour was the BELLY ?: Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail) · Spotted or mottled · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Crow-sized · Goose-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Southwestern United States

result:431-harris-hawk-immature:1:1 Source: 431 Harris' Hawk (Immature), row 1

Rule 2 11 criteria confidence 1

How was the bird SEEN BEST ?: While landed
What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?: Light band at the tip · Dark and light bands across it · Broad dark band across the tip · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail) · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: Yellow · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown)
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and thick · Hooked · Downcurved · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Very short · Short · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?: Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Crow-sized · Goose-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Hawk-like
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Southwestern United States

result:431-harris-hawk-immature:2:1 Source: 431 Harris' Hawk (Immature), row 2