Monday 17 March 2014

Harris's Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus)

OTHER NAMES: Bay-winged Hawk, Dusky Hawk
Latin Etymology: Parabuteo ("Near-buzzard") diomedea ("single banded")
Adult Harris' Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus, unknown subspecies) near Geddington, Northants - March 2014

Featured Subspecies - *unknown*
Weight: 710-1020g  /  Length: 46-76cm  /  Wingspan: 100-120cm
ABSENT FROM UK / IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern

Harris's Hawk is not a native species to Europe, it is a species of the Americas, but there are increasing numbers of them found living wild in the UK - possibly to the point of being more numerous than some native species, if not in viable population yet.  This stems largely from their enormous popularity as a bird for Falconry.  They are often considered beginners birds, possibly as they naturally hunt in groups in the wild it makes them suitable for training.  However, due to this popularity it means escapes are common and they can be found in various places throughout the country.  Recently they has been one pair who bred, although the female and eggs were recaptured, however, as more escapes enter the wild, the possibility of further breeding increases.

Related Species:
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Parabuteo
Subspecies: P. u. superior, P. u. harrisi, P. u. unicinctus

- Sighting Locations -
UNITED KINGDOM - An escapee only species, but one of the more regular to do so - has bred once 
 - A single escaped bird has set up residence in the surroundings of Geddington.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red ListRSPBWikipedia, Xeno-canto

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