Poppy, Harris Hawk
Latin Name
Parabuteo unicinctus
Family
Accipitridae
LIFE SPAN
Wild: Harris hawks typically live for approximately 10–12 years in the wild. Bird-ringing records include an individual that survived for 14 years and 11 months.
Captivity: Harris hawks can live for approximately 20–25 years when provided with suitable accommodation, nutrition, exercise and veterinary care. The recorded maximum captive lifespan is approximately 25 years.
Body size
Harris hawks are medium-sized birds of prey with broad, rounded wings, long legs and relatively long tails. Females are noticeably larger and heavier than males.
- Weight: Males average approximately 735g (1.6 lb); females average approximately 1,047g (2.3 lb).
- Height/body length: Approximately 46–56cm (18–22 in).
- Wingspan: Approximately 107–122cm (3.5–4 ft).
Adults have dark chocolate-brown plumage with distinctive chestnut-coloured shoulders, thighs and wing markings. Their dark tails have a broad white band at the base and a white tip.
Native habitat
Harris hawks are native to the Americas. Their range extends from the southwestern United States through Mexico and Central America into much of South America, reaching Chile and parts of Patagonia.
They favour warm, open and semi-open environments, including:
- Desert and semi-desert
- Arid scrubland
- Savanna and grassland
- Open woodland
- Agricultural land
- River valleys and marshy areas
- Urban and suburban areas with open ground
In desert regions, they frequently perch and nest in tall cacti such as saguaros, as well as mesquite and palo verde trees. They may also build their stick nests on bushes, palms and artificial structures such as electricity pylons.
Diet
Harris hawks are carnivorous and opportunistic hunters. Their diet includes:
- Rabbits and hares
- Rats, mice and other rodents
- Ground squirrels
- Pigeons, quail and other birds
- Snakes and lizards
- Large insects
- Carrion
Individual Harris hawks usually hunt smaller animals. When hunting as a group, however, they can work together to catch much larger prey, including jackrabbits.
They may chase prey in relays until it becomes tired or surround dense vegetation while one hawk flushes the animal towards the others. Once prey has been caught, members of the group take turns feeding.
Get to know Poppy
Poppy is the alpha female of our cast and, having been hand-reared, is always very vocal when she spots her favourite humans nearby. She is affectionate and fiercely protective of the team, although she has become increasingly selective about the people she trusts as she has grown older.
For her comfort and everyone’s safety, close interactions are now limited to experienced members of staff. Poppy is highly intelligent, playful and a formidable hunter. She once demonstrated her abilities by successfully taking a Greylag goose, an impressive natural achievement, even if it was a particularly difficult moment for our goose-loving team!
Fun Fact!
Unlike most birds of prey, Harris hawks are highly social. They often live in family groups that hunt together, watch for predators and help raise younger birds. This cooperative behaviour has earned them the nickname “wolves of the sky.”
When suitable perches are scarce, Harris hawks sometimes display a remarkable behaviour called back-stacking. One hawk stands on another’s back to gain a higher viewpoint, and as many as three or four birds may form a stack.
Their intelligence, sociable nature and willingness to work alongside others have also made Harris hawks particularly popular within modern falconry.