Harris's Hawk is the most social raptor in the world, hunting cooperatively in packs of up to seven birds that use coordinated strategies — one flushing prey, others pursuing — comparable to wolf pack hunting. It lives in family groups year-round in Sonoran Desert scrub. It is popular in falconry and is often used in pest control at airports because of its trainability.
Best time to see a Harris's Hawk
The best time to see a Harris's Hawk is September–February, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 6,788 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Harris's Hawk? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Harris's Hawk sightings near you
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Spotted a Harris's Hawk?
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