Harris’s hawk

bird

Also known as: Harris’ hawk, Parabuteo unicinctus, bay-winged hawk(Show More)

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Last updated

June 29, 2026

Quick Summary

Harris's hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) is a species of hawk found from the southwestern United States to South America. This bird is characterized by its black plumage, brown shoulders, and distinctive white markings on its rump and tail.1

Hawks, in general, are small to medium-sized birds of prey belonging to the family Accipitridae. While often misunderstood, most hawks are beneficial, primarily feeding on small mammals, reptiles, and insects, rather than poultry. They are found on every continent except Antarctica and exhibit diverse nesting habits, from trees to cliffs and the ground.2

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

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hawk
…other buteos are the following: Harris’s, or the bay-winged, hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus), a large black bird with inconspicuous brown shoulders and flashing white rump, is found in South America and northward into the southwestern United States. The broad-winged hawk (B. platypterus), a crow-sized hawk, gray-brown with a black-and-white-banded tail, is…
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…other buteos are the following: Harris’s, or the bay-winged, hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus), a large black bird with inconspicuous brown shoulders and flashing white rump, is found in South America and northward into the southwestern United States. The broad-winged hawk (B. platypterus), a crow-sized hawk, gray-brown with a black-and-white-banded tail, is…
Read More

falconry
Types of birds used in falconry
…falconry in Britain is the Harris’ hawk, which is native to Central and South America, as well as to the Southwest of the United States. It is widely bred in captivity in the United Kingdom and has a placid temperament, which makes its training comparatively straightforward. The traditional hawks employed…
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…falconry in Britain is the Harris’ hawk, which is native to Central and South America, as well as to the Southwest of the United States. It is widely bred in captivity in the United Kingdom and has a placid temperament, which makes its training comparatively straightforward. The traditional hawks employed…
Read More