Harris Hawk
Scientific name: Parabuteo unicinctus
The Harris Hawk is a large bird with mostly dark brown plumage. Their thighs and wing linings are chestnut coloured. These birds can weigh over a kilogram, with the female bird being significantly larger than the male.
One of the Harris Hawk’s most impressive attributes is its vision which is far superior to a humans. Their incredible vision helps them to hunt during the day; they are able to focus on their prey from a long distance before homing in on it to hunt. Harris hawks are unique amongst birds of prey, due to the fact that they hunt together and share any food that they catch.
In the wild, Harris Hawks often live in large family groups, of between 4 and 12 birds. These groups are known as casts. The female of the species is the most dominant of the sexes due to her superior size. A female Harris Hawk will often mate with 2 males and allow both to help with the incubation of eggs and the rearing of chicks.
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At Noah's Ark...
Our Harris Hawk is called Hugo and can be seen in the flying displays.
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Size Fact
Harris Hawks can grow up to 76cm long.
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Food Fact
Harris hawks typically eat small mammals such as rodents and rabbits
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Fun Fact
If there is no room to perch, Harris Hawks sit on top of each other - this is known as ‘back stacking’!
Adopt Me
You can support our conservation efforts and help with the costs of keeping rare and wonderful zoo animals by adopting a Hawk. Adopt a Hawk for yourself or as a gift.
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