Harris Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus)

'Jazz' is a female Harris Hawk that hatched at the centre in 1997. Her parents and one pair of grandparents are also resident at the centre. Jazz is also a mum herself with one of daughters being flown at the centre.

'Jazz' is a falconry bird (used for catching quarry) on the afternoon of our One Day Bird Handling Experience during the winter months.  

'Jazz' is the main star of the short film 'Hawk the movie' that we were involved with.

Our other Harris Hawks at the centre include: 'Tock' (Jazz's daughter), 'Donald', 'Myo' and 'Imp'. 

In the wild

Also known as Bay-winged Hawk (usually South America), Harris' Hawk (or better Harris's Hawk) strictly applies only to Central and North American race. Now both races known as Harris Hawk in the UK.

Origin: Parts of Central and Southern America, spreading into southern parts of North America.

Diet: Mammals to the size of rabbits and jackrabbits, birds up to pheasant size, also lizards and insects.

Habitat: Fairly open country, sometimes in swampy areas but more generally in drier regions: thin or patchy woodland with adjacent scrub, open savannah, grassland and semi-desert with saguaro cactus. (Not found in higher Andes and rainforest).

The Harris Hawk is the only species of raptor that has been recorded cooperatively hunting in the wild. Very often in pairs, but trios recorded and groups of up to six occasionally recorded in northern population.