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Difference between revisions of "Harris's Hawk" - BirdForum Opus

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[[Image:Harris_Hawk_in_flight_by_destombe.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Adult of US form<br />Photo by {{user|destombe|destombe}}<br />Elfrida, [[Arizona]], [[USA]], December 2006]]
 
'''Includes Bay-winged Hawk'''
 
'''Includes Bay-winged Hawk'''
 
;[[:Category:Parabuteo|Parabuteo]] unicinctus
 
;[[:Category:Parabuteo|Parabuteo]] unicinctus
[[Image:Harriss_Hawk.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Gaga]]
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[[Image:d07_2035.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Photo by: {{user|Gary+Clark|Gary Clark}}<br /> Location: Tucson, [[Arizona]], [[USA]]]]
 
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
Length 46-76cm (18-30"), WS 107cm (42"), Wt. 900gm (2lb).  Blackish brown plumage with chestnut forewings (above and below) and thighs. The end of the tail and the rump are white, with distinctive black band between. Females are typically 10% larger than males.  Juveniles are similar in appearance, but have streaking common in this family. <br />The southernmost form (Bay-winged Hawk) remains streaked on underside and paler, streaked head even as adult.  
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[[Image:Juvenile-Harris-Hawk2-Oct-13-09_by_Lisa_W.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Juvenile of US form<br />Photo by: {{user|Lisa_W|Lisa W}}<br /> Location: Roger Road Waste Water Treatment Plant, Tucson, [[Arizona]], [[USA]],  October 2009]]
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Length 46-76cm (18-30"), WS 107cm (42"), Wt. 900gm (2lb).  Blackish brown plumage with chestnut forewings (above and below) and thighs. The end of the tail and the rump are white, with distinctive black band between. Females are typically 10% larger than males.  Juveniles are similar in appearance, but have streaking common in this family.  
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The southernmost form (Bay-winged Hawk) remains streaked on underside and paler, streaked head even as adult, and is fairly pale on underside as juvenile.  
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
 
Sonoran desert of the southwest [[USA]] and [[Mexico]], Baja Penisula, Gulf Coast from central coastline of [[Texas]] southward through [[Mexico]] to [[Chile]] and [[Argentina]]. This species is absent from much of eastern [[South America]]
 
Sonoran desert of the southwest [[USA]] and [[Mexico]], Baja Penisula, Gulf Coast from central coastline of [[Texas]] southward through [[Mexico]] to [[Chile]] and [[Argentina]]. This species is absent from much of eastern [[South America]]
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
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[[Image:Bay-winged_Hawk_juvenile_by_Rodrigo_Reyes.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Juvenile "Bay-winged Hawk"<br />Photo by: {{user|Rodrigo_Reyes|Rodrigo Reyes}}<br /> Location: [[La Campana National Park]], [[Chile]], February 2005]]
 
There are three subspecies: ''P. u. superior'' in Baja California, [[Arizona]], [[Sonora]], and [[Sinaloa]] (contested);  
 
There are three subspecies: ''P. u. superior'' in Baja California, [[Arizona]], [[Sonora]], and [[Sinaloa]] (contested);  
 
''P. u. harrisi'' in [[Texas]], eastern [[Mexico]], [[Central America]] and northern [[South America]]; and ''P. u. unicinctus'' in southern South America.<br />The ''unicinctus'' subspecies has been suggested for full species status, where the name would become '''Bay-winged Hawk'''; this form does not perform the team hunting described below.  
 
''P. u. harrisi'' in [[Texas]], eastern [[Mexico]], [[Central America]] and northern [[South America]]; and ''P. u. unicinctus'' in southern South America.<br />The ''unicinctus'' subspecies has been suggested for full species status, where the name would become '''Bay-winged Hawk'''; this form does not perform the team hunting described below.  

Revision as of 13:42, 26 October 2010

Adult of US form
Photo by destombe
Elfrida, Arizona, USA, December 2006

Includes Bay-winged Hawk

Parabuteo unicinctus

Identification

Juvenile of US form
Photo by: Lisa W
Location: Roger Road Waste Water Treatment Plant, Tucson, Arizona, USA, October 2009

Length 46-76cm (18-30"), WS 107cm (42"), Wt. 900gm (2lb). Blackish brown plumage with chestnut forewings (above and below) and thighs. The end of the tail and the rump are white, with distinctive black band between. Females are typically 10% larger than males. Juveniles are similar in appearance, but have streaking common in this family.

The southernmost form (Bay-winged Hawk) remains streaked on underside and paler, streaked head even as adult, and is fairly pale on underside as juvenile.

Distribution

Sonoran desert of the southwest USA and Mexico, Baja Penisula, Gulf Coast from central coastline of Texas southward through Mexico to Chile and Argentina. This species is absent from much of eastern South America

Taxonomy

Juvenile "Bay-winged Hawk"
Photo by: Rodrigo Reyes
Location: La Campana National Park, Chile, February 2005

There are three subspecies: P. u. superior in Baja California, Arizona, Sonora, and Sinaloa (contested); P. u. harrisi in Texas, eastern Mexico, Central America and northern South America; and P. u. unicinctus in southern South America.
The unicinctus subspecies has been suggested for full species status, where the name would become Bay-winged Hawk; this form does not perform the team hunting described below.

Habitat

Sparse woodland and semi-desert, as well as marshes.

Behaviour

An unusual behavior in its family is team hunting; birds will cooperate in taking prey, often taking perches in what seems like a strategic manner to confuse and herd its prey before one of the group strikes. This allows it to take larger prey such as jackrabbits. Teams can comprise 2 to 6 individuals. Other prey includes rodents, lizards, and birds.
It nests in a tree and lays 2–4 eggs, incubated for 28 days to hatching. This is a popular bird in the sport of falconry, as it is easily tamed and trained.

References

  1. Peregrine Fund
  2. Restall et al. 2006. Birds of Northern South America. Yale University Press. ISBN 9780300124156
  3. Alvaro Jaramillo. 2003. Birds of Chile. Princeton Field Guides. ISBN 0-691-11740-3

External Links

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