Harris' hawk is only one of two known raptors who hunt as a group with the matriarchal female being the head of the group and the first to partake of the meal. Just like mammals, some members of the team flush out the prey and chase it toward the hunters who go in for the kill. Most family groups consist of about seven individuals although some groups comprising as many as fifteen members have been observed. These hawks have visual abilities some eight times greater than we humans. They have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years.
A beautiful coppery color with legs and beaks of yellow, they have a magnificent wingspan of almost 50 inches and are easily identified while in flight by the white markings on the tail.
On a different subject, the saguaros in the second photograph are youngsters. They have not yet sprouted arms. The first arms usually make their appearance at 75 to 100 years of age!
6 comments:
Hi Kathy, I am finally getting settled, but know that my vacation will be too short. Love your hawk photos. Have you read "H is for Hawk?" Spectacular book.
You really got some fantastic photos of these magnificent birds.
Really neat shot of it in flight!
i did not know about the hunting as a group, very interesting and did not know aobut the arms of the saguaros either.
i love their dark plumage.
Oh, you got to see the Harris Hawks too! I'm so glad.
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